Gustavo Nazareno, Orixás: Personal Tales on Portraiture

Opera Gallery London

08 October - 09 November 2024

Opera Gallery presents 'Orixás: Personal Tales on Portraiture', a solo exhibition by São Paulo-based artist Gustavo Nazareno. Curated by Samuele Visentin, this exhibition marks the beginning of Nazareno's exclusive representation with Opera Gallery.

Nazareno has crafted a unique artistic language that bridges the spiritual and the contemporary. His work draws profound inspiration from Afro-Latin religions, particularly the Brazilian Candomblé religion and its pantheon of deities known as Orixás. Through a collection of 16 oil paintings and 25 charcoal drawings, the artist Nazareno invites viewers into a world rich in mysticism where his subjects are imbued with a reverence for ancestry and the supernatural. His figures, adorned in majestic dresses and ornamentation, simultaneously evoke the pageantry of high fashion and the solemnity of religious iconography. Nazareno’s unique visual language pays homage to diverse influences, from Renaissance masters like Caravaggio to contemporary fashion photography, fusing ancient and modern influences. The exhibition not only celebrates the Orixás but also explores the themes of Blackness and resistance, mysticism and the supernatural, and the complexities of ancestry and diaspora.

Curator Samuele Visentin reflects on the significance of Nazareno's work: "Gustavo reminds us of the importance of being found in a personal sense of divinity, giving shape to a pantheon of Orixás whose posture and presence embody and celebrate the visual syncretism of Candomblé."

'Orixás: Personal Tales on Portraiture' is a journey through the intersection of mysticism, ancestry, and contemporary art. It stands as a powerful testament to the ever-evolving nature of Brazilian identity and the enduring spirit of cultural resilience. We invite you to experience this extraordinary showcase of talent and vision.