The Story Of Elinilson Soares
An artist, creator, and mediator of culture, the Deaf community, and Afro-Brazilian identity.
By Portal MUD - Dance Museum
Curated by: Estela Lapponi
Image from the videodance "Cafuné" (2024) by Matheus Rocha and Me2 ProduçõesPortal MUD - Dance Museum
Graduated in Letters/Libras from the Leonardo da Vinci University Center, Elinilson is an artist, interpreter, and translator in LIBRAS who investigates artistic processes through dance, performance, and literature, drawing inspiration from Afro-Brazilian culture.
Photo of Elinilson Soares (2024) by Unknown AuthorPortal MUD - Dance Museum
A dark-skinned Black man, bisexual, he acts as an artist and civil rights activist for Black people, while also conducting artistic training for Deaf individuals in Salvador since 2018.
Logo of the project Mãos Axé (2020) by Unknown AuthorPortal MUD - Dance Museum
In 2019, he created Mãos Axé, a project focused on the art and culture of the Deaf community in Bahia, which integrates poetry, SLAM, visual vernacular, dance, and theater, using these artistic languages as tools to make art accessible to the Deaf community.
Elinilson Soares in the "Teatro Escola" project Elinilson Soares in the "Teatro Escola" project (Março de 2022) by Unknown AuthorPortal MUD - Dance Museum
He participated in the "Diálogos da PORRA" (2020), a research group on dance at the UFBA Dance School, with the theme "Dance and Deaf People: Difficulty and Accessibility."
Elinilson Soares' participation in the FIAC in 2022 Elinilson Soares' participation in the FIAC in 2022 (2022) by Unknown AuthorPortal MUD - Dance Museum
He was a cultural mediator at FIAC Bahia in 2021 and 2022.
Project "Dançafilme Feito à Mão" Project "Dançafilme Feito à Mão" (2021) by Coletivo Carrinho de MãoPortal MUD - Dance Museum
In 2021, together with Deaf and hearing artists, he contributed to the poetry book Feito à Mão by the Coletivo Carrinho de Mão.
Photograph of Elinilson Soares (2024) by Unknown AuthorPortal MUD - Dance Museum
In 2022, he presented at the 1st Black Deaf LGBTQIA+ Art Show (Monas+), aimed at establishing connections between Deaf and hearing audiences to discuss Deaf culture, diversity, and accessibility through art, with workshops in dance, poetry, and other activities in LIBRAS.
Elinilson Soares in the performance "Never More Abysses"Portal MUD - Dance Museum
Since 2023, he has been part of the cast of Nunca Mais Abismos by Edu O.
Elinilson Soares' participation in the FIAC in 2022Portal MUD - Dance Museum
He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Dance at the UFBA Dance School’s graduate program, with research titled "BEIJO DE LÍNGUAS: Crossroads of Dance between Deaf and Hearing People Communicating through the Movement of Exú."
Project "Dançafilme Feito à Mão"Portal MUD - Dance Museum
Through this project, Elinilson seeks to investigate movement and mediation processes to construct an artistic work involving both Portuguese and Brazilian Sign Language.
Elinilson Soares in the performance "Never More Abysses"Portal MUD - Dance Museum
The goal is to develop dance and Libras workshops, exploring body techniques, rhythm, and reflections on sign-terms, considering Deaf poetry and Afro-Brazilian elements referring to Exú, as a communicational force of transit and exchange.
Project "Dançafilme Feito à Mão"Portal MUD - Dance Museum
Carrinho de Mão: A Noteworthy Work
Carrinho de Mão is a collective engaged in creative actions that blend dance, accessibility, literature, and training activities for and with children.
Elinilson Soares in the performance "Never More Abysses"Portal MUD - Dance Museum
Elinilson Soares is an artist who celebrates the intersection of creation, identity, and accessibility, offering a sensitive and powerful perspective on Afro-Brazilian and Deaf cultures.
Elinilson Soares in the "Teatro Escola" projectPortal MUD - Dance Museum
His work invites a deeper understanding of the body as a medium for encounters and transformations.
Learn more about Elinilson Soares' story
Access the artist's materials in the Portal MUD!
This story is part of the MOVER MEMÓRIAS project, funded by the FUNARTE RETOMADA - DANCE 2023 grant.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.