Dismantling Boundaries: Impacts of the Decolonial Movement on Brazilian Art Institutions

The contemporary art scene is currently undergoing a significant transformation, marked by an increasing number of works that address issues related to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and geopolitics. In Brazil, these artistic productions signal a fundamental shift in the structural order of the art system, which we refer to as the emerging decolonial turn in Brazilian art. This movement challenges the traditional hierarchies that have been in place and promotes a more inclusive and diverse representation within art institutions. Almost all visual arts institutions in Brazil have hosted exhibitions with decolonial themes, with an increasing number of curatorial positions being held by Black and Indigenous individuals, and awards being directed towards these initiatives. The objective of this article is to contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon in the field of visual arts. In order to achieve this, it will explore how museums and other institutions are responding to the pressure from artists for more significant space, visibility, and decision-making power. The text provides an overview of the rapid growth of Brazilian visual artists strongly aligned with the decolonial agenda and explores the theoretical issues surrounding the term ‘decolonial’ created by the group Modernity/Coloniality/Decoloniality (MCD). This research is based on a qualitative analysis of recent exhibitions in Brazil and a theoretical framework from Decolonial and Cultural Studies. It aims to investigate whether the decolonial turn is having practical effects on Brazilian institutions and transforming them into more inclusive spaces. Additionally, it examines the risks and challenges associated with this transformation, asking how institutions can reconcile embracing decolonial perspectives with maintaining their traditional structures. Finally, we ask what strategies can ensure that the decolonial turn in Brazilian art becomes a lasting and meaningful shift towards equity and diversity within the art world. Keywords: contemporary art; decoloniality; decolonial art; art theory; Brazilian art