Jonathas de Andrade

Jonathas de Andrade, born in 1982 in Maceió, Brazil, is a prominent visual artist whose work spans video, photography, installation, and mixed media. His practice is deeply rooted in the social and cultural histories of Brazil, often exploring themes of memory, labor, identity, and the collective experience. De Andrade’s art reflects on the complexities of Brazilian society, addressing issues such as regionalism, inequality, and the impact of modernization on traditional ways of life. His thoughtful and immersive works engage with both historical narratives and contemporary realities, blending fiction with documentary-style storytelling.One of de Andrade’s signature projects is O Levante (2012), which re-enacts a traditional horse-drawn cart race in Recife, while addressing the local government’s efforts to outlaw the use of these carts. The project highlights the tensions between progress and tradition, exploring how modernization affects the working class and their livelihoods. De Andrade frequently uses such reenactments to explore broader social and political dynamics, focusing on marginalized or overlooked aspects of Brazilian culture.In his installation The Uprising (2012), de Andrade presented a fictional ethnographic study that critiques the representation of regional identities. By creating archives and playing with anthropological methods, the artist interrogates the power dynamics embedded in how cultures are documented, cataloged, and understood. This approach allows de Andrade to reflect on the intersection of personal memory, social history, and the ways in which narratives are constructed and preserved.De Andrade’s work also addresses the relationship between the human body and labor, as seen in The Fish (2016), a video that captures fishermen in Northeastern Brazil in a symbolic act of embracing and holding fish they catch. The piece explores the intimate connection between labor, sustenance, and the environment, offering a poetic reflection on survival and the human relationship to nature.Jonathas de Andrade has exhibited his work internationally at major venues such as the São Paulo Biennial, the New Museum in New York, and the Venice Biennale. Through his diverse practice, de Andrade continues to engage with critical issues of social and cultural identity, questioning how history and memory shape our understanding of the present. His thoughtful and often provocative works make him a significant voice in contemporary art, not only in Brazil but on the global stage.