Antonio Obá Brazilian, b. 1983

Antonio Obá (b. 1983, Ceilândia, BR) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Brazil. Working across painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video and performance, he explores Afro-Brazilian history, identity and memory through a critical reexamination of cultural and spiritual representations. Obá confronts Brazil’s colonial legacy by deconstructing historical and religious icons, exposing the marginalization of Afro-Brazilian traditions. The body, often the focal point of his work, becomes a site of resistance and reclamation, challenging the eroticization and stereotypes imposed on Black bodies. Using sacred symbols and memory-laden objects, such as ex-votos and organic materials, he forges a dialogue between past and present, trauma and resilience. His work also interrogates Brazilian national identity, addressing the tensions between African and European influences that have shaped the country. Beyond critiquing historical violence, Obá celebrates the strength and endurance of Black communities, offering a universal reflection on memory, spirituality and cultural survival. 

Obá has presented solo exhibitions at institutions such as the Centre d’Art Contemporain, Geneva, CH (2024-2025); Pina Contemporânea, São Paulo, BR (2023); Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, NL (2022); and X Museum, Beijing, CN (2022). His work is part of numerous public collections, including the Tate Modern in London (UK), the Pinault Collection (FR), the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Turin (IT), the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (BR), the Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro (BR), the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo (BR), the Pérez Art Museum, Miami (USA), the X Museum in Beijing (CN), the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid (ES), the Blenheim Art Foundation (UK) and the Instituto Moreira Salles (BR) amongst others.