On 6th February, students from Richmond University’s BA (Hons) Arts and Visual Cultures programme had the unique opportunity to visit Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism, a major exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. This visit was part of the AVC5205 Art in Context module, designed to deepen students’ understanding of art within historical and cultural frameworks.
Dr. Piola Massarotto led students on this field trip, guiding discussions and providing expert insights into the exhibition’s themes and significance. Thanks to the generous support of the Communications and the Arts department, which fully funded the entrance tickets, students engaged first-hand with the display of 20th-century Brazilian Modernist art. This exhibition showcased over 130 works by ten pivotal Brazilian artists, spanning from the 1910s to the 1970s, highlighting how Brazilian artists adapted contemporary trends and international influences to forge a distinctive modern artistic identity.
As the Royal Academy describes, the exhibition explores how Brazilian modernism was shaped by indigenous identities, African cultural traditions, and the nation’s rich natural landscapes. For Richmond students, this experience reinforced key themes of their programme, which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to the study of art and design across historical and contemporary contexts.
The visit provided valuable insights into the ways in which modernist art movements developed outside of Europe, challenging Eurocentric narratives and celebrating Brazil’s unique artistic contributions.
Learn more about our BA (Hons) Arts and Visual Cultures programme here.
