Brazil exhibition opens this week

TO celebrate the start of the Rio Olympics next month. Manchester School of Art has teamed up with HOME and Instituto Plano Cultural to present Behind the Sun: Prêmio Marcantonio Vilaça CNI SESI SENAI.

A thought-provoking group show of new work from the five winners of Brazil’s largest contemporary art prize, the Prêmio Marcantonio Vilaça, Behind the Sun features film, original performances, large scale sculptural work, painting and photography, and is curated by Marcus Lontra.

Marcantonio Vilaca was an influential Brazilian artist and advocate of Latin American art; the annual prize dedicated to his memory features a shortlist of 30 artists, both established and emerging, put together by 15 leading curators from across Brazil. It’s a prize that ensures that all regions of Brazil are represented, with an underlying theme of art and industry.

Behind the Sun features works by Grupo EmpreZa, Gê Orthof, Virginia de Medeiros, Berna Reale and Nicolás Robbio.

Artist Virgina de Medeiros and curator Raphael Fonseca, (winner of the Prêmio Marcantonio Vilaça curatorial award) have also been awarded residencies at the Manchester School of Art.

Sarah Perks, Artistic Director of HOME commented: “HOME and the Manchester School of Art are delighted to present this exhibition as a way of getting a glimpse of the exciting scene in Brazil and discussing some of the newsworthy issues affecting the country right now. It’s also a privilege to have curator Raphael Fonseca and artist Virginia de Medeiros here for three months each for their residencies, building key relationships for collaboration between both places in the future.”

Alnoor Mitha, Senior Research Fellow (Asian Cultures) at Manchester School of Art said: “The European premiere of an outstanding exhibition of work, Behind The Sun is a timely and topical showcase of Brazilian artists, curators, and performative events that captures the true diversity and spirit of the nation. In short, it is not to be missed!”