Oslo’s Munch Museum recently bestowed its inaugural Munch Award, which celebrates artistic freedom, upon Brazilian artist Rosana Paulino. The accolade, accompanied by a NOK 300,000 (€25,000) prize, recognizes an artist who has demonstrated exceptional courage and integrity throughout their career, according to the museum.
“Freedom of expression is increasingly under threat globally. With our new Munch Award, we honor the artist’s vital role as a critical voice in society,” stated Munch director Tone Hansen.
Paulino, one of Brazil’s foremost visual artists, addresses pressing social, ethnic, and gender issues faced by Black women in Brazil, particularly focusing on racism and the enduring legacy of slavery. She emphasizes that her work not only speaks to Brazilian contexts but also resonates with the African diaspora across Latin America, the US, and Europe.
The jury commended Paulino’s extensive and poetic body of work, which includes installations, drawings, artist’s books, and videos. They highlighted her significant contributions to critical dialogues about art, history, and society in Brazil and beyond. Over several decades, she has dedicated her artistic practice to exploring the violent histories and continuities of gender and race.
Paulino was also celebrated as a leading voice in Black feminism, steadfastly committed to the struggles of Afro-Brazilian communities and the ongoing fight against racism. Plans are underway to use the majority of the prize money to establish the Rosana Paulino Institute, an image library and study center documenting representations of Black people, to be located in a working-class neighborhood of São Paulo, reminiscent of her own upbringing.
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