In 2025, France and Brazil are celebrating the bicentennial of their diplomatic relations, marking two centuries of cultural and political exchange between the two nations. This milestone year has placed Brazilian photography in the spotlight, showcasing the country's rich artistic heritage and contemporary creative vision to international audiences.
To commemorate this significant anniversary, a special celebration of Brazilian photography has been organized by Marly Porto, whose expertise and dedication have made this cultural showcase possible. The exhibition features the work of six distinguished photographers: Bassul, Gui Christ, Flávia Sampaio, Paula Giordano, Sandra Gonçalves, and Pablo Pinheiro. These artists represent a diverse and pluralistic generation that is expanding both the scope and power of contemporary Brazilian photography on the global stage.
Each photographer brings a unique artistic language to their work, creating a rich tapestry of visual storytelling that captures different aspects of Brazilian life and culture. Their approaches range from documentary photography that chronicles real-life experiences to aesthetic experimentation that pushes creative boundaries, as well as poetic exploration of imagery that reveals deeper truths about human experience. Through their distinct perspectives, these artists illuminate fundamental aspects of Brazilian culture, memory, and the ongoing social transformations taking place throughout the country.
Collectively, these photographers are making significant contributions to establishing photography as an autonomous and essential artistic field in Brazil. Their work brings fresh perspectives to the medium while strengthening the dialogue between national artistic production and the international photography scene. This cross-cultural exchange is particularly meaningful as it coincides with the diplomatic anniversary between France and Brazil.
The exhibition has been curated by Marly Porto, a leading expert who has dedicated more than 20 years to studying and researching Brazilian photography, including its processes, practices, and theoretical foundations. Porto serves as the associate curator of the "Brazilian Photographic Collection" at the National Library of France (Bibliothèque nationale de France - BnF), where she helps preserve and promote Brazilian photographic heritage for international audiences. Additionally, she is responsible for creating and developing the Photothings Festival in Brazil, further cementing her role as a bridge between Brazilian and international photography communities.
