The piece “Ham’s Redemption”, by Modesto Brocos – 1895, is considered one of the most openly racist artworks ever made. It represents the whitening of the population as the only true way to save mankind. An absurd and unfounded belief. Despite this, it is still displayed at the Brazilian National Fine Arts Museum. Galeria Viva, a gallery at the heart of Paulista Avenue, the most symbolic place of protest for the Brazilian population, wanted to do something, and commissioned a piece of work unlike any other.
Meet the Ham’s Reinvention:
A completely new version of the painting, using the very same techniques of the times, but changing the symbols behind it. To do it, we invited the black artist Sattu Rodrigues, who emulated the era’s idiosyncrasies to the finest details. In the image, the grandma’s posture was changed, from thankfulness to empowerment, and the baby changed as well, from white to black. This composition changes the whole meaning of the work. The piece was then placed at Galeria Viva, during a free exhibit, and black influencers were invited to see it live.