UNTOUCHABLE NEGRITUDE
ZÉH PALITO
LUCE GALLERY
Turin, from October 7 to November 16, 2021
Online video featuring exhibition walkthrough
Exhibition view, Untouchable Negritude, Zéh Palito, 2021, Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
In Turin from October 7 to November 16, 2021, Luce Gallery is pleased to present the solo show “Untouchable Negritude” of Zéh Palito.
The exhibition brings together a new body of works featuring subjects of the Afro-Brazilian artist imaginary inspired by his origin culture and characterized by bright colors evoking relaxed and intense atmospheres.
The similar-sized paintings constitute a sort of repetition of the same exercise. The intentional absence of a defined background within the represented scenes, together with the precise chromatic choice and the inclusion of some logos of famous brands belonging to popular visual culture, intends to push the observer to focus attention on black figures, who are the main protagonists of the works.
“Untouchable Negritude is a collection of works that showcase Blackness through the lens of Zéh Palito. Riddled with nuance, Palito provides insight to contemporary African Diasporic life by painting figures that exude satisfaction and self-assurance. Adorned with gold and other jewels, shells, exotic fruits, and flowers, each figure becomes the center of attention, thus allowing them to become the protagonist of their own story.
Each figure is positioned in a stance of power that illustrates a positive self-identity and pays homage to a rich cultural heritage. Combined with the use of bright colors, each figure demonstrates confidence through their mere existence.
Palito is a storyteller and cultural observer. This exhibition is a vehicle in which he is using to tell unique stories of the black experience.”
Thomas James (curator)
“Zéh Palito's Tropical Diaspora is like a cool inviting breeze rolling off of the ocean on a warm summer day. His vibrancy brings forth new perspective, love of self and others, and an appreciation of Blackness worldwide. Palito creates wildly vivid paintings that capture aspirational scenes and spaces full of life. They also depict the Black figure surrounded by nature, fantasy, and objects associated with leisure, while keeping the environments and subjects in-tune with one another. The subjects, in their most honest manner, greet you both formally and contextually. These works are like a vintage hand painted commercial street sign for luxury goods, but the exchange is only cultural currency. Something you can't buy.
Palito's vision of the future is juxtaposition with imagery from the past. The new image is one of confidence and excitement about the world he sees. Love and light coexist and are represented in the painterly expression and gesturing application found in the work. Familiar imagery has either been loosely painted or has become a motif with unfinished stretch markings, reminiscent of murals seen in various stages of production - an artform Palito is very familiar with.
The works are one “Tropical Diaspora” where display imaginatively constructed narratives reflecting an atmospheric world of wonder and symbolism. There is much to consider as you explore the visual language and mythology in which these dynamisms are built up.”
Derrick Adams (artist)
The exhibition walkthrough video is online at www.lucegallery.com/video.php.
Zéh Palito was born in 1986 in Limeira (São Paulo, Brazil), where he lives and works.
His works have been exhibited at Museu Afro Brasil in San Paolo, MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna in Rio de Janeiro, Eubie Blake Cultural Center in Baltimore, MAC - Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Americana, and Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Center in Beirut.
The Afro-Brazilian painter is also a well-known street artist.
Exhibition view, Untouchable Negritude, Zéh Palito, 2021, Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Untouchable Negritude
Zéh Palito
Luce Gallery
Turin, from October 7 to November 16, 2021
Largo Montebello 40, Italy
Opening: Thursday, October 7, 6:00 pm
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 3:30 - 7:30 pm
+39 011 18890206 / info@lucegallery.com
Instagram: @lucegallery
Online videos featuring exhibitions walkthroughs: www.lucegallery.com/video.php
Press office: THE KNACK STUDIO / Tamara Lorenzi
tamara@theknackstudio.com / +39 347 0712934
info@theknackstudio.com / www.theknackstudio.com
Zéh Palito, Monday Morning in Brazzaville, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, A camisa de Danilo, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, This southside and we outside, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, Paolo e Francesca, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, One day in my shoes, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, But you don't know our struggle, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, Untouchable, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, Carioca, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
UNTOUCHABLE NEGRITUDE
ZÉH PALITO
LUCE GALLERY
Turin, from October 7 to November 16, 2021
Online video featuring exhibition walkthrough
Exhibition view, Untouchable Negritude, Zéh Palito, 2021, Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
In Turin from October 7 to November 16, 2021, Luce Gallery is pleased to present the solo show “Untouchable Negritude” of Zéh Palito.
The exhibition brings together a new body of works featuring subjects of the Afro-Brazilian artist imaginary inspired by his origin culture and characterized by bright colors evoking relaxed and intense atmospheres.
The similar-sized paintings constitute a sort of repetition of the same exercise. The intentional absence of a defined background within the represented scenes, together with the precise chromatic choice and the inclusion of some logos of famous brands belonging to popular visual culture, intends to push the observer to focus attention on black figures, who are the main protagonists of the works.
“Untouchable Negritude is a collection of works that showcase Blackness through the lens of Zéh Palito. Riddled with nuance, Palito provides insight to contemporary African Diasporic life by painting figures that exude satisfaction and self-assurance. Adorned with gold and other jewels, shells, exotic fruits, and flowers, each figure becomes the center of attention, thus allowing them to become the protagonist of their own story.
Each figure is positioned in a stance of power that illustrates a positive self-identity and pays homage to a rich cultural heritage. Combined with the use of bright colors, each figure demonstrates confidence through their mere existence.
Palito is a storyteller and cultural observer. This exhibition is a vehicle in which he is using to tell unique stories of the black experience.”
Thomas James (curator)
“Zéh Palito's Tropical Diaspora is like a cool inviting breeze rolling off of the ocean on a warm summer day. His vibrancy brings forth new perspective, love of self and others, and an appreciation of Blackness worldwide. Palito creates wildly vivid paintings that capture aspirational scenes and spaces full of life. They also depict the Black figure surrounded by nature, fantasy, and objects associated with leisure, while keeping the environments and subjects in-tune with one another. The subjects, in their most honest manner, greet you both formally and contextually. These works are like a vintage hand painted commercial street sign for luxury goods, but the exchange is only cultural currency. Something you can't buy.
Palito's vision of the future is juxtaposition with imagery from the past. The new image is one of confidence and excitement about the world he sees. Love and light coexist and are represented in the painterly expression and gesturing application found in the work. Familiar imagery has either been loosely painted or has become a motif with unfinished stretch markings, reminiscent of murals seen in various stages of production - an artform Palito is very familiar with.
The works are one “Tropical Diaspora” where display imaginatively constructed narratives reflecting an atmospheric world of wonder and symbolism. There is much to consider as you explore the visual language and mythology in which these dynamisms are built up.”
Derrick Adams (artist)
The exhibition walkthrough video is online at www.lucegallery.com/video.php.
Zéh Palito was born in 1986 in Limeira (São Paulo, Brazil), where he lives and works.
His works have been exhibited at Museu Afro Brasil in San Paolo, MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna in Rio de Janeiro, Eubie Blake Cultural Center in Baltimore, MAC - Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Americana, and Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Center in Beirut.
The Afro-Brazilian painter is also a well-known street artist.
Exhibition view, Untouchable Negritude, Zéh Palito, 2021, Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Untouchable Negritude
Zéh Palito
Luce Gallery
Turin, from October 7 to November 16, 2021
Largo Montebello 40, Italy
Opening: Thursday, October 7, 6:00 pm
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 3:30 - 7:30 pm
+39 011 18890206 / info@lucegallery.com
Instagram: @lucegallery
Online videos featuring exhibitions walkthroughs: www.lucegallery.com/video.php
Press office: THE KNACK STUDIO / Tamara Lorenzi
tamara@theknackstudio.com / +39 347 0712934
info@theknackstudio.com / www.theknackstudio.com
Zéh Palito, Monday Morning in Brazzaville, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, A camisa de Danilo, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, This southside and we outside, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, Paolo e Francesca, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, One day in my shoes, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, But you don't know our struggle, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, Untouchable, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Zéh Palito, Carioca, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 120 cm (62.9 x 47.2 in), Photo PEPE Fotografia, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
