Brainlab Presents Rooted a New Exhibit Featuring Work by Brazilian Female Artists

Brainlab, a leading provider in digital medical technology, is opening the new exhibition ROOTED - Female Brazilian Artists at the company's headquarters in Munich-Riem on October 25. Curated by art historian Tereza de Arruda, the exhibition was specially conceived for Brainlab and is being held under the patronage of the Brazilian Embassy. In addition to works by Brazilian artists from the Vilsmeier – Linhares Collection it includes some new and site-specific commissions as well as loaned works, all united by a human-nature connection. 

Rooted tells the story of the relationship between humans and nature that connects all the works on display. Organized into different aspects of this connection, this exhibition builds on the company’s previous exhibition, Unrooted, which dealt with the traumas of displacement and migration. This sequence also implicitly suggests that by returning to our "roots" in nature, we can also overcome the uncertainty of identity and origin. Through the eyes of these Brazilian artists, we are invited to examine our own relationship with nature and draw new strength from it. The exhibition presents nature in a variety of ways, not as an antithesis to culture and technology, but in symbiosis with them.   

Divided into five sections, Rooted features the role that the relationship between humans and nature continues to play for many contemporary Brazilian artists. With this affinity to nature, the contemporary artists embrace a kind of “Tropical Expressionism,” coined half a century ago by Brazilian Modernism pioneer Tarsila do Amaral, whose work is also featured in this exhibition. Each section explores the multifaceted, interwoven metaphorical aspects of “roots,” from familial, cultural and emotional ties to the representation of physical nature and the theme of sustainability.

• ORIGIN

Everyone is inextricably rooted in their family origins, their heritage and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. These roots form the basis of a person’s identity, but also that of an entire country. Brazil’s post-colonial legacy, within its complex historical, cultural and social contexts, still casts a long shadow. It is central to understanding Brazilian identity and the challenges the country and its people face today.  

Brazilian artists Carmezia Emiliano, Sonia Gomes, Iêda Jardim, Rosana Paulino, and Nádia Taquary explore their country’s post-colonial roots, their own life stories and their country’s complex identity. Their works reflect on the diverse influences and conflicts resulting from the colonial era and its aftermath. Their artistic language, materials and conception reflect their ancestral origins. Through the use and transformation of everyday materials, these artists express their individual identities that have been shaped by tradition, faith and perseverance. 

• IDENTITY

As a result of Brazil’s turbulent history, many concepts from different continents have been incorporated into the country’s urbanization, shaping the way people think, behave and define their values. Perhaps due to Brazil’s particularly lush vegetation, however, there is a unique interweaving of urban life with, rather than in opposition to, nature. This urban physical world anchors people to their community and history. The artworks represent the surroundings and everyday rituals that root people in their private, social and historical contexts and convey a sense of belonging and identity. 

Tarsila do Amaral, Beatrice Arraes, Lúcia Laguna, Paula Siebra and Larissa de Souza reflect these urban characteristics in their work. Within their paintings, one recognizes scenes of everyday life and personal surroundings, articulated through an intimate, multifaceted and very regionally specific gaze. The domestic and urban environments, nature and folk traditions that are the subject of these works form the universe and, therefore, the cultural heritage of each individual.

• CONNECTION

Emotional connections within a relationship function like roots; they nurture the trust and resilience needed to get through tough times together. Being deeply rooted in a relationship requires mutual understanding and cohesiveness in order to grow with and around each other. These themes are particularly emphasized in the works of Azuhli, Rosilene Luduvico and Alexsandra Ribeiro.  

Their art reflects the multifaceted nature of relationships and emotional connections, poetically and powerfully depicting their relevance. The artists subtly address how deep emotional anchors can strengthen an individual’s personal and communal experiences and serve as a source of continuity and personal development. These emotional references are not limited to people, as the works also refer to interactions with the environment in very intimate and profound ways.

• NATURE

Nature plays a central role in the art world and has inspired female artists in particular for centuries. Rather than simply observing or imitating nature passively, they interpret landscapes abstractly and  
conceptually: exploring the relationship between humans and nature through various media. In doing so, female artists often draw on the harmony and symbolism of life, death and rebirth that nature has represented throughout the history of art and culture, making us aware of the transience of our existence.  

For the artists Solange Pessoa, Laura Lima and Luzia Simons, nature serves not only as an inspiration but as means of expression: a central theme in very different forms. They draw on organic materials for their depictions of nature in order to convey both its power and its serene and delicate beauty. Whether stylized or in direct form, the works of these artists articulate the deep connection between humans and nature and challenge us to reflect on the natural phenomena and processes that influence our lives and existence.  

• SUSTAINABILITY

In the context of nature, not only do roots have a central and multifaceted meaning — they connect plants to the soil and provide them with nourishment — but so do earth, water and air — elements that make life possible in the first place. The use of organic and natural materials as the medium and subject of artwork promotes a deeper understanding and awareness of our physical environment. These materials articulate the beauty, significance and fragility of nature and draw attention to the issues of sustainability and preservation. Natural causalities of human action become emotionally tangible through artistic exploration beyond the intellectual dimension. Art is a powerful way to contribute to the debate on ecology, sustainability and biodiversity, especially as awareness about climate change increases. 

A consistent example of this kind of artist is Marlene Almeida, who has been researching and using natural pigments for fifty years and has designed a monumental installation for this exhibition. Almeida’s art is representative of many female artists who combine their work with an urgent appeal to preserve our natural environment and rediscover it as a source of strength, identity and harmony in an often uprooted world.