A Bahia Rooted Cosmology: The Sculptural Language of Rebeca Carapiá
Rebeca Carapiá, born in 1988 in the vibrant city of Salvador, Brazil, is a rising force in contemporary sculpture whose work resonates with a deeply personal yet universally relevant exploration of language, conflict, body, and territory. Her artistic journey isn’t simply about creating objects; it's about excavating histories, challenging norms, and forging new pathways for understanding through material presence. Growing up in the lower city of Salvador, a space she frequently references as foundational to her identity as an artist, Carapiá developed a keen awareness of the socio-political currents shaping her surroundings. This early immersion fueled an interest in the complex relationships between power, memory, and lived experience—themes that continue to permeate her practice today. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the Federal University of Bahia and is currently pursuing a master's degree at the same institution, further solidifying her commitment to rigorous artistic research.
From Notebooks to Monumental Forms: The Evolution of a Practice
Carapiá’s work began as an intimate dialogue with language itself, manifested in detailed notebooks filled with drawings, texts, and reflections. These early explorations weren't merely preparatory sketches but rather self-contained universes—cosmologies built around the “conflicts of bodily norms and language.” This initial phase, showcased in her 2020 solo exhibition "Como colocar ar nas palavras" at Galeria Leme in São Paulo, revealed a commitment to deconstructing traditional notions of women’s geographies. The act of opening these personal notebooks to public view was itself a powerful gesture—a vulnerability that invited viewers into the artist's thought process and challenged conventional art-world boundaries. This period marked a crucial transition from private contemplation to public engagement. From there, her practice expanded to encompass sculpture, drawing, installation, prints, and objects, all unified by a consistent focus on materiality and form.
The Poetics of Iron and Copper: Materiality as Resistance
Central to Carapiá’s artistic vocabulary is her masterful use of metal—specifically copper and iron. These materials are not chosen arbitrarily; they carry their own histories, associations with labor, masculinity, and even violence. By working with these traditionally “heavy” mediums, Carapiá performs a subtle act of resistance, reclaiming them as tools for expressing vulnerability, resilience, and poetic nuance. Her sculptures often feature sinuous lines and intricate geometries that evoke both organic forms and abstract compositions. These works aren’t static objects but rather dynamic entities—paths, wanderings, and explorations materialized in three dimensions. The process itself is integral to the final outcome; Carapiá emphasizes collective production, overcoming technical challenges, and acknowledging the socio-historical obstacles inherent in her chosen materials. She doesn't shy away from revealing the stages of creation, celebrating the imperfections and complexities that arise along the way.
Ancestral Technologies and Geopolitical Debates: Expanding the Discourse
Carapiá’s work is deeply rooted in Bahia but extends far beyond regional boundaries, engaging with broader geopolitical debates surrounding memory, precarious economies, sexual dissent, and the power dynamics between speech and word. Her research delves into ancestral technologies—traditional metalworking techniques passed down through generations—and seeks to create a dialogue between past and present. This exploration isn’t simply about preserving cultural heritage; it's about recognizing the inherent knowledge embedded within these practices and challenging dominant narratives of progress and innovation. Her participation in significant exhibitions like the 3rd Trienal of Art of SESC – O rio é uma serpente, the 31st Exhibition cicles at Centro Cultural São Paulo, and the 36th Bienal de São Paulo demonstrates her growing recognition within the international art community.
Walking Palms and Mobile Foundations: A Contemporary Legacy
Carapiá’s recent work, exemplified by her presentation at the 36th Bienal de São Paulo, showcases a fascinating engagement with the walking palm (*Socratea exorrhiza*). This remarkable tree, with its aerial roots that move in search of sunlight and nutrients, serves as a powerful metaphor for resilience, adaptation, and mobile foundations. The artist draws parallels between the tree’s dynamic growth patterns and her own artistic process—a constant negotiation between anchoring to ancestral ground and taking flight. Through sculptures and drawings inspired by the walking palm's root system, Carapiá invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of existence in movement, emphasizing a “lightness of movement despite the inescapable weight of the material.” Her work is not merely an aesthetic statement but a philosophical inquiry—a call for understanding that there is no contradiction between honoring the past and embracing the possibilities of the future. Represented by Galeria Leme, Rebeca Carapiá continues to push boundaries, forging a unique artistic language that resonates with both intellectual rigor and emotional depth.
