Queerguru’s Ris Fatah reviews Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism show, on at London’s Royal Academy until 21st April.

When we think of Brazilian modernism, the architectural works of Oscar Niemeyer, Lucio Costa, Paulo Mendes da Rocha etc; the city of Brasilia and many modernist building treasures spring to mind. Brazil’s modernist artists have enjoyed far less prominence to date. London’s Royal Academy is currently redressing this imbalance with Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism, is a show which details the work of ten Brazilian modernist artists from the 1910s to the 1970s. This was a fertile period in Brazilian art history when the arts flourished despite the relative poverty of the nation, its dictatorship, and the simplistic way of life of most of its inhabitants. Slavery had only been abolished in the late 1880s.

The early Twentieth Century brought many immigrants to Brazil – including Japanese, Italians, Germans, and Syrians – each group bringing a diverse range of cultural influences. In return, many richer Brazilians traveled and lived in Europe and North America for periods. These include most of the artists featured in the show, who brought back European and US modernist influences in their art and applied them to Brazilian subject-matter. The resulting artworks are uniquely both complex and simplistic. The complexity resulting from unusual colour combinations and painting styles whilst the simplicity of the subject matter reflects Brazilian society at this time. Strongest for me are the portraits, so timeless they could have been painted in any decade in the past 100 years. The abstract works featured from later in the period are also strong, and again reflect the relaxed, slower pace of life in mid-century Brazil. It’s a large show and not every piece feels like it has earned its place. Nevertheless, there are more than enough gems to keep you happy, particularly in the work of Anita Malfatti and Rubem Valentim. No Brazilian exuberance here, instead there’s a calm peace to this show – it’s a good antidote to the craziness of the world right now, as well as being an important lesson in art history.

7/10

Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism

28 January – 21 April 2025

THE ROYAL ACADEMY 

Main Galleries | Burlington House

Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant  (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah