Art Installation

In the north of Brazil, you can find many artefacts used in rituals, one of which is a Devil (Exu) who is one of the Orishas or deities used in Candomblé, originating in African culture (Yoruba) it represents ‘communication’. Exu is an irascible character and can do good but can also provoke disasters and strife between the people who ignore him. He is human in the sense of being fickle - as the word on the street goes, he is a child. So, also to me, these ‘Devils’ are ‘Children’ (in many cultures called ‘little devils’). Making them large from cardboard I wanted them to speak loud, be confrontational, telling the uncomfortable truth. As children they are spontaneous, impulsive, curious, inventive and capable of uncontrollable creativity.

Lina was fascinated by the production of artefacts, toys, tools etc. in Bahia, and their mysterious origins, inventiveness and simple beauty. Matching her own spirit of curiosity, spontaneity, humour and boundless creativity. She wanted Brazilians to celebrate all the aspects of their own culture, so curated many exhibitions of found objects and artefacts. Here we show some of the ‘Orishas’, who have connections to the spiritual world, mysterious and simple objects we found in Salvador.

Madelon Vriesendorp, artist