Emanoel Araújo

Emanoel Araújo (1940–2022) was a curator and sculptor from Bahia, born in a traditional family of goldsmiths. He learned carpentry, linotype and studied graphic composition at the Official Press of Santo Amaro da Purificação, his hometown, where he held his first solo exhibition in 1959.

In the sixties, he moved to Salvador to study engraving at the School of Fine Arts - Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). Emanoel Araújo showed his artwork in several galleries and expositions around the world, totaling more than 150 collective exhibitions and 50 individuals. Between 1981 and 1983 he was director of Bahia Art Museum and, a few years later, in 1988, he taught graphic arts and sculpture at the Arts College at The City University of New York (CUNY). In 1992, back in Brazil, he assumed the position as director at the Pinacoteca de São Paulo until 2002. Between 1995-96 he was invited to be member of the Museums Commission as well of the Federal Council for Cultural Policy, created by the Ministry of Culture. In 2004, he founded the Museu Afro Brasil, located in São Paulo, becoming Curator and Executive Director until today. In charge of Museu Afro Brasil, the exhibition “Africa Africans”, curated by him, was awarded the best exhibition of 2015 by the Brazilian Association of Art Critics (ABCA). As independent curator, his exhibition "Francisco Brennand Senhor da Várzea, Argila e do Fogo" was nominated for the Paulo Mendes de Almeida Award as the best Brazilian exhibition in 2017.

Araújo has been largely awarded, national and internationally recognized. His first national award was in 1966 for his participation in the II Young National Print Exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in São Paulo. In 1972, he was awarded the gold medal at the 3rd Graphic Bienal in Florence, Italy. Years later, he added to his achievements the awards of Best Engraver (1973) and Best Sculptor (1983) from the São Paulo Association of Art Critics (APCA). By the Brazilian Association of Art Critics (ABCA) he received the “Cicillo Matarazzo” Award in 1998 and 2007, as well the Clarival do Prado Valladares Award, in 2020, year in which he held the Zumbi dos Palmares Medal by the City Council of Salvador. One year later, he was awarded the Tarsila do Amaral Medal by the São Paulo State Government.