Brazilian Artist Rosana Paulino's Exhibition Opens at New School
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On October 5, Brazilian artist Rosana Paulino's solo exhibition 'História Natural?' opened at The New School's Arnold and Sheila Aronson Galleries in New York. The exhibition, organized by the Vera List Center for Art and Politics, showcases Paulino's exploration of Brazil's colonial past and its impact on the present, particularly the violence against Black people.
The exhibition centers around Paulino's 2016 book of the same name, which won her the 2025–27 Jane Lombard Prize for Art and Social Justice, along with a $25,000 award. The book features linocut and drypoint prints paired with altered photographs from Louis Agassiz's 1865–66 expedition to Brazil.
Paulino, the first Afro-Brazilian woman to earn a PhD in visual arts in Brazil, is known for her precision and perfectionism. She often tears up drawings that do not meet her standards, although her studio assistants have started hiding the discards for her archive.
Her work is currently also featured in Brazil's pavilion at the Venice Biennale, curated by Diane Lima. The pavilion is titled 'Comigo ninguém pode,' which translates to 'No one can beat me,' reflecting Paulino's unyielding stance on her nation's history.
The exhibition is on view through November 1.
**Context:** Rosana Paulino's work is significant as it challenges the colonial narratives and highlights the ongoing effects of colonialism on contemporary Brazilian society, particularly the violence against Black people. Her approach to art and history offers a critical perspective on how the past continues to influence the present.
