Bergamin & Gomide recently opened an exhibition of the late Brazilian artist Glauco Rodrigues (1929–2004). Acontece que somos canibais [We happen to be cannibals] is on view until 13 March 2021.
These still-life works painted with acrylic on canvas are from the late 1960s after Rodrigues had returned from a few years living in Europe, where he took influence from the Pop Art movement.
The vivid yellow and blue colours used to depict the fruit playfully remove them from the real world, whilst imbuing them with sociopolitical connotations due to their obvious ties to the national flag and Brazilian culture at large.
His use of white as a background and framing device envelops the images with another layer of symbolism referencing Brazil's relationship with colonialism.
Rodrigues excavates objects and symbols associated with Brazilian identity, transforming them into satirical critiques of the foundations these ideals are based on.
