Canto (2021)
Created in 2021, Canto is a poignant acrylic painting by Brazilian Indigenous artist Aislan Pankararu. Measuring 94 x 76 cm and signed and dated on the reverse, the work exemplifies Pankararu's synthesis of ancestral heritage and contemporary abstraction. Drawing from the cosmology of the Toré—a ritualistic dance central to Pankararu life—Canto embodies the interconnectedness of all beings and the bridge between earthly and spiritual realms. The composition's layered patterns and organic forms evoke the Caatinga biome of Northeastern Brazil, reflecting the artist's deep connection to his homeland and its traditions.
Aislan Pankararu (b. 1990)
Born in Petrolândia, Pernambuco, Aislan Pankararu is a member of the Pankararu Indigenous community. Initially pursuing a career in medicine, he rediscovered his passion for art in 2019, leading to a flourishing practice that intertwines his medical knowledge with Indigenous cultural expressions. Pankararu's work incorporates traditional body painting techniques, molecular structures, and elements from the natural world, creating a unique visual language that addresses themes of healing, identity, and resistance. His art has been showcased in prominent exhibitions, including Histórias Indígenas at MASP and Endless River at Salon 94 in New York, and is held in esteemed collections such as Instituto Inhotim and MASP.
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