Rubem Valentim: A Celebration of Color and Form
Explore the vibrant art of Rubem Valentim, a Brazilian artist who blended color, form, and Afro-Brazilian symbolism.
Emblemágico 78 (1978) by Rubem ValentimMuseum of Modern Art of Bahia - MAM
Rubem Valentim (1922-1991) was a Brazilian sculptor, painter, engraver, and professor. He began his career in the 1940s as a self-taught painter.
Emblemágico 81 (1981) by Rubem ValentimMuseum of Modern Art of Bahia - MAM
A New Wave in Bahia
In the mid-1940s, Rubem Valentim worked alongside artists like Mario Cravo Júnior and Carlos Bastos to reinvigorate the artistic landscape of Bahia, Brazil. This group was dedicated to pushing the boundaries of traditional art.
Emblemágico 79 (1979) by Rubem ValentimMuseum of Modern Art of Bahia - MAM
Color & Form: Valentim's Language
Valentim embraced the religious world, specifically Candomblé and Umbanda, as a source of inspiration, incorporating their tools, altars, and symbols into his art from the 1950s onwards.
These signs or emblems are originally geometric and embraced the power of these shapes as a fundamental building block and became a key element of his artistic language.
Espaço Rubem ValentimMuseum of Modern Art of Bahia - MAM
International journey
Valentim's artistic journey took him to Rome in the 1960s, where he lived from 1963 to 1966, after winning the prize for a trip abroad at the National Salon of Modern Art - SNAM. And in 1966 he took part in the World Festival of Black Arts in Dakar, Senegal.
Espaço Rubem ValentimMuseum of Modern Art of Bahia - MAM
In 1998, the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia - MAM/BA inaugurated the Rubem Valentim Special Room in the Sculpture Park and holds multiple of his artworks from the "Emblema" series in the permanent collection.
Espaço Rubem ValentimMuseum of Modern Art of Bahia - MAM
Rubem Valentim's artwork is a captivating blend of color, form, and symbolism. His sculptures, paintings, and engravings are vibrant expressions of his artistic vision, deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian cultural influences.
