Brazilian season at King’s

King’s Brazil Institute is set to be at the heart of a season of Brazilian cultural events this summer with an exhibition of works featuring the celebrated Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião Salgado, co-hosted by the Arden Collection. The exhibition, which runs from 12 July to 18 August, consists of works from the Arden Collection of 20th century photographs, including iconic photographs from Salgado’s early career.

The event coincides with numerous other events in London this summer showcasing Brazilian arts and culture, including ‘Casa Brasil’, which will be hosted at Somerset House and King’s during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the media centre based at King’s.

The Arden Collection display at Somerset House East Wing is the first public exhibition organized by the King’s Brazil Institute, which is working to encourage global understanding of contemporary Brazil. The Institute is one of a network of Global Institutes at the College focusing on engagement with 21st century political, economic and cultural powers.

Photo of Sebastião Salgado by Kevin Scanlon.

Professor Anthony Pereira, Director of the King’s Brazil Institute, said: ‘I’m delighted to be celebrating the end of another highly successful year at the King’s Brazil Institute with this outstanding collection of works from one of Brazil’s most talented photographers. Salgado is known as ’Brazil’s global photographer’ so this theme dovetails with our efforts here at King’s to raise awareness of Brazil’s place in the world and its unique cultural heritage.

‘I’m also pleased that the King’s Brazil Institute is making a contribution to what is shaping up to be a fantastic summer season of Brazilian cultural events, as we welcome international visitors to London for the Olympic Games.’

Sebastião Salgado is a Brazilian photographer who has travelled to over 100 countries documenting the lives of ordinary people all over the world – often featuring imagery of manual labourers, refugees and metropolises bearing witness to global economic challenges and social injustice.

As well as winning several major photographic prizes during his career, Salgado is now a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and an honorary member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in the United States. He has contributed significantly to raising awareness of environmental issues in Brazil by working since the 1990s on the restoration and preservation of part of the Atlantic Forest. The images on display from the Arden Collection are from Salgado’s work during the 1980s, featuring images of workers and migrants from around the world.

The King’s Brazil Institute reached another milestone this year with news of its first award nomination – from the Brazilian International Press for promoting Brazilian culture in the UK. The Institute is looking to build on this success with more events arranged next year alongside its flagship MA Programme ‘Brazil in Global Perspective’.

The first holder of the prestigious Rio Branco Chair in foreign policy and international relations will also be arriving at the Institute, a further sign of strengthening relations between King’s and Brazilian partners.