Textile art as a language of memory
The PANO DA COSTA (literally “Coastal loincloth”) exhibition promises to be a powerful visual and cultural dialogue, questioning the legacies of pre-colonial black African cultures and the stigma of slavery in contemporary Brazilian society. Far from being a simple fashion show, it is a total work in which textiles become the language of a common history that continues to be written on both sides of the Atlantic.
At the heart of this creation is Afro-European visual artist Gombo. Based in Marseille, Gombo is renowned for his work that deconstructs the Eurocentric view of history. He expresses his multicultural heritage through the creation of textile motifs that hijack the codes of Dutch wax, an emblematic fabric born of the complex dialogue between Africa, Europe and Asia.
Fashion, screen printing and collaborative design
The Pano Da Costa project is the result of an intense research and creative residency at Gombo in Salvador de Bahia, an area deeply marked by African influences. This research led to the creation of a series of printed motifs that will be exhibited in the form of silkscreens, functional sculptures (objets-à-porter) and, above all, fashion garments.
The exhibition highlights a strong collaboration with young local designers. Gombo carried out a mentoring program that led to the selection of three Afro-Brazilian fashion designers:
- Rayzez, who explores a poetic aesthetic blending Afro-Brazilian inspirations and identity affirmation.
- Nos Macrame, a collaborative brand renowned for its hand-woven macramé creations.
- Uanga, a duo rooted in conscious and ethical fashion, promoting Bahian heritage.
Each of these designers has produced a garment incorporating an original motif designed by Gombo, proving the richness and modernity of Salvador’s conscious fashion.
MAFRO and Goya Lopes, reconciling memories
The exhibition benefits from a strong institutional anchoring within the Museu Afro-Brasileiro (MAFRO), which is opening its collections to enrich the dialogue. The project has also been enriched by the participation of
The inauguration, which will take place in the presence of all the artists and partners, celebrates art as a vehicle for reconciling memories. The Pano Da Costa exhibition, open to visitors until December 2025, is a unique opportunity to see how fashion and textile art can deconstruct history and open up new perspectives on Afro-Brazilian heritage.
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