Parede da Memória - Rosana Paulino.

Summary

This transcript is an insightful exploration of the experiences and artistic journey of a Black Brazilian woman, focusing on themes of race, identity, and societal exclusion. The speaker discusses her upbringing in São Paulo, the impact of family, and her artistic evolution from drawing and printmaking to photography and embroidery. Central to her work is the exploration of Black womanhood, the legacy of slavery, and racial violence in Brazil. She reflects on the significance of family, memory, and Afro-Brazilian culture, while also addressing broader issues of inequality and the invisibility of Black people in Brazilian society. The artist's works are layered, offering complex reflections on memory, history, and cultural survival.

Takeaways

• 😀 The artist reflects on her childhood experiences in São Paulo, particularly the lack of Black dolls, which shaped her early understanding of race and identity.
• 😀 Family and memory play a central role in the artist's work, with a strong focus on preserving and reinterpreting her personal history through photographs and objects.
• 😀 The artist discusses the role of Black women in Brazilian society, particularly the historical and ongoing effects of racism and slavery on their lives.
• 😀 Through her work, the artist highlights the invisibility and marginalization of Black women, often represented as domestic workers or stereotypes in the media.
• 😀 Photography has become a key medium in the artist's exploration of race and memory, offering a way to work with historical images and reflect on their impact on identity.
• 😀 One of the artist's notable projects, 'Parede da Memória' (Wall of Memory), uses family photographs arranged as a memory game, reflecting on the power of memory and familial connections.
• 😀 The concept of 'Bastidores' (Behind the Scenes) explores how everyday objects, such as sewing materials, can be symbols of power and coercion, particularly in the context of domestic violence.
• 😀 The artist’s work on the series 'Assentamento' engages with the legacy of slavery in Brazil, focusing on the violence and displacement experienced by Black Africans brought to the country.
• 😀 'Assentamento' also symbolizes the rooting of African culture in Brazil, using the imagery of trees and roots to represent the resilience and deep connections to African heritage.
• 😀 The artist is deeply concerned with how Brazilian society has historically excluded and dehumanized Black individuals, seeing these historical wounds as a source of ongoing social inequality and injustice.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the artist's work?

The primary focus of the artist's work is the exploration of race, identity, and the legacy of slavery in Brazil, particularly the experiences of Black women. The artist uses various mediums, including photography, engraving, drawing, and embroidery, to delve into these themes.

How does the artist reflect on her own childhood experiences in relation to race?

The artist reflects on her childhood experiences of not having Black dolls to play with and the predominance of Eurocentric beauty standards in toys and media. This absence highlighted for her the lack of representation of Black people, particularly Black women, in Brazilian society.

What role does memory play in the artist's work?

Memory is a central theme in the artist's work. She uses family photographs and personal memorabilia to reconstruct and reinterpret the histories of Black individuals and families, focusing on the emotional and historical weight these images carry.

What is the significance of the series 'A Parede da Memória' ('The Wall of Memory')?

In 'A Parede da Memória,' the artist uses family photographs to create a visual representation of memory and history. The photographs are manipulated and arranged to create a 'memory game' effect, allowing the viewer to reflect on the fragmented nature of historical narratives and personal memories.

How does the artist use embroidery in her work?

The artist uses embroidery as a form of expression in the series 'Bastidores' ('Behind the Scenes'). The act of sewing faces, eyes, and mouths onto fabric serves as a metaphor for the silencing of Black women and reflects themes of invisibility, power, and resistance.

What does the artist mean by 'the silencing of Black voices' in her work?

The 'silencing of Black voices' refers to the societal marginalization of Black individuals, particularly Black women, whose stories and experiences are often overlooked or misrepresented. In her work, the artist uses imagery like stitches and closed mouths to represent this suppression.

What is the concept behind the 'Assentamento' ('Settlement') series?

The 'Assentamento' series explores the impact of colonialism and slavery on Brazilian society. It reflects on the experiences of enslaved Africans and their descendants in Brazil, symbolizing cultural resilience and the process of 're-making' identities despite historical trauma.

How does the artist use symbolism in the 'Assentamento' series to represent cultural survival?

The artist uses symbolism such as roots, trees, and stars in the 'Assentamento' series to represent the deep cultural connections African-descended people have to their heritage. These symbols also reflect the journey of enslaved Africans and their ability to create new cultural roots in Brazil.

What is the significance of the 'Flora Brasílica' book in the artist's work?

The 'Flora Brasílica' book, which the artist received as a gift, is significant because it represents Brazil's colonial history and the exploitation of its natural resources. The artist uses it as a reference to explore how Brazil was viewed as an 'enormous warehouse' for both natural resources and human labor during the colonial era.

How does the artist view the societal impact of slavery in Brazil?

The artist views slavery as a foundational element of Brazilian society, which has resulted in deep social and economic inequalities. She believes that slavery's legacy continues to affect the present, with Black women at the bottom of the socio-economic hierarchy, often facing systemic racism and gender discrimination.