Edited by Rodrigo Moura, Ayrson Heráclito, Chloë Courtney. Text by Rodrigo Moura, Ayrson Heráclito, Beto Heraclito, Roberto Conduru, Joselia Aguiar, Abigail Lapin-Dardashti.
New interpretations of the Brazilian master's symbolic repertoire and towering sculptural achievements
This richly illustrated volume explores the work of the Afro-Brazilian sculptor, writer and cultural advocate Mestre Didi (1917–2013), uniting more than 60 of his sculptures, offering a rare view of his far-reaching spiritual and artistic legacy, and contextualizing his aesthetic innovations within the prevailing discourses of Brazilian modern art. Over the course of his career, from the 1960s until the 2010s, Mestre Didi was a visionary emissary for Candomblé, an Afro-diasporic religion that developed in Brazil as formerly enslaved Africans handed down their Yoruba spiritual practices. He was perhaps the first artist to reimagine Candomblé ritual objects as artworks in their own right. The book includes key selections of Didi's own writings and research, made available in English for the first time, and reproductions of archival material documenting his early life, exhibitions, travels and work as a spiritual leader.
This book was published in conjunction with KMEC Books; Ubu.
STATUS: Forthcoming | 7/29/2025
This title is not yet published in the U.S. To pre-order or receive notice when the book is available, please email orders @ artbook.com
FORMAT: Hbk, 9 x 12.25 in. / 224 pgs / 115 color / 59 b&w. LIST PRICE: U.S. $45.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $64 GBP £36.00 ISBN: 9781882454303 PUBLISHER: El Museo del Barrio AVAILABLE: 7/29/2025 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Forthcoming AVAILABILITY: Awaiting stock TERRITORY: WORLD
Published by El Museo del Barrio. Edited by Rodrigo Moura, Ayrson Heráclito, Chloë Courtney. Text by Rodrigo Moura, Ayrson Heráclito, Beto Heraclito, Roberto Conduru, Joselia Aguiar, Abigail Lapin-Dardashti.
New interpretations of the Brazilian master's symbolic repertoire and towering sculptural achievements
This richly illustrated volume explores the work of the Afro-Brazilian sculptor, writer and cultural advocate Mestre Didi (1917–2013), uniting more than 60 of his sculptures, offering a rare view of his far-reaching spiritual and artistic legacy, and contextualizing his aesthetic innovations within the prevailing discourses of Brazilian modern art. Over the course of his career, from the 1960s until the 2010s, Mestre Didi was a visionary emissary for Candomblé, an Afro-diasporic religion that developed in Brazil as formerly enslaved Africans handed down their Yoruba spiritual practices. He was perhaps the first artist to reimagine Candomblé ritual objects as artworks in their own right. The book includes key selections of Didi's own writings and research, made available in English for the first time, and reproductions of archival material documenting his early life, exhibitions, travels and work as a spiritual leader.
This book was published in conjunction with KMEC Books; Ubu.
