This Wednesday, September 25, School of Arts awarded the FOCO Prize at the opening of ArtRio, the most important art fair in Rio de Janeiro, taking place from September 25 to 29. The opening session was attended by Nuno Crespo, director of School of Arts, who awarded the FOCO Prize to the artist Xadalu Tupã Jekupé, selected for an artistic residency at School of Arts, in O'Porto.

The FOCO Prize was launched in 2013 with the aim of encouraging and disseminating the work of visual artists with up to 15 years of career. In each edition, the prize selects talents to take part in artistic residencies at relevant institutions in Brazil and abroad.

School of Arts is participating for the first time as a partner in the 14th edition of ArtRio, with an exhibition stand promoting its educational offer and its partnership in the 10th edition of the FOCO Award.

Winner of the Artist Residency at School of Arts

Xadalu Tupã Jekupé is an indigenous artist. Born in Alegrete (RS), in the pampa of Rio Grande do Sul, his origins are linked to the indigenous peoples who historically inhabited the banks of the Ibirapuitã river, in the former Ararenguá land: the Guarani Mbyá, Charrua, Minuano, Jaros and Mbone. In his work, he uses serigraphy, painting, photography and various objects to address the tension between indigenous and Western culture in cities, focusing on the colonial processes of catechizing native peoples. His work can be found in the collections of the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (RJ), the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (SP) and the Museu Nacional (RJ), among others. He has taken part in artistic residencies in France, Spain and Italy, and was also present at the 35th São Paulo Biennial.