IN CONSTRUCTION - STATEMENT

2021 - IN CONSTRUCTION

‘‘With the rise of Black Lives Matter worldwide, 8 years after I first exhibit this series (formerly know as Soul Black) I return to this work with a new gaze trying to understand the collective trauma we are living. Whilst our identity is in construction, this new work doesn’t have a name. But I know It will come as the research and feeling unfold.’’ Nina Franco

2013 - SOUL BLACK

What is it like to be a Black woman in Brazil?
Soul Black is interested in deconstructing the sexualization of Brazilian women, deconstruct the male gaze of Brazilian women as carnival simple sex symbols. Soul Black offer an artistic contemporary expression that brings together a critical view of social, political and cultural issues. Portrait the Brazilian women as a subject and not an object.

“Before I was born my mother has heard jokes about my probable beauty, such as, “I think she will look like a little monkey”. Hellen Soares.

“I grew up without realizing that in the private school where I was studying there was only I and another black boy”. Tainá de Almeida.

“The contemporary Brazilian black woman is still stigmatized, marginalized and stereotyped by the hegemonic class”. Letícia Freitas.

“The false equality between races almost always shows disguised in phrases like she is black, but beautiful”. Jupira.

“I was in high school, one day a friend brought a cool toy to school, then she whispered in the ears of other colleagues: “You can see, but does not lend for Gabriella because she is black. How I felt bad among them”. Gabriella do Nascimento.

“It’s not easy being born a woman and black. You have to fight! Be an example for our ancestors”.  Cristina Baptista.

“We did not come from the ghetto, we came from Africa!”. Ainá Garcia.

Soul. Black. 2013
Photography, handwritten letters.
10 images + 10 letters.