Last week, our Design Team had the chance to visit Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism, a fascinating exhibition currently on display at The Royal Academy of Arts in London.
We were lucky to have a private guided tour by artist and lecturer Grace Adam, who gave us the most inspiring tour, sharing her knowledge of all the details and intricacies. The exhibition presents over 130 works by ten influential Brazilian artists, offering a glimpse into the country’s artistic transformation from 1910 to 1970.
At the start of the 20th century, Brazil was a young, forward-looking nation eager to establish a distinct identity. Art played a crucial role in this effort, fueling a wave of innovation in painting, sculpture, graphic design, architecture, music, and literature. This artistic revolution helped shape the modernist movement, influencing not only Brazil but also the broader South American art scene.
The exhibition highlights a range of artists who shaped this new Brazilian aesthetic. Among them are Anita Malfatti and Tarsila do Amaral, pioneering female artists; self-taught painters like Alfredo Volpi and Djanira, who had Indigenous heritage; Afro-Brazilian artist Rubem Valentim; and multidisciplinary creator Flávio de Carvalho.
Women played an essential role in Brazil’s modern art movement. Malfatti and do Amaral, both members of the Grupo dos Cinco (Group of Five), were at the forefront of the movement in the 1920s. Malfatti, in particular, was a trailblazer—her bold, modernist paintings shocked the Brazilian art establishment. Born in São Paulo, she studied in Berlin before returning home, where her 1917 exhibition was one of the first to introduce modernist painting to Brazil. She often portrayed ordinary Brazilians in everyday settings, breaking away from conventional themes.
It was an incredibly special and insightful morning, and we extend our thanks to Grace and the team at The Royal Academy of Arts for welcoming us. Running until April 21, 2025, this exhibition at The Royal Academy is a must-see, offering a compelling look at how Brazilian artists redefined modernism and carved out a unique artistic identity.
