Nhemboaty – London Exhibition by Rafael Vilela

Events News

Nhemboaty – London Exhibition

rafael vilela

Jun 9, 2025

Summary

An impactful portrait of the Guarani Mbyá people’s struggle for survival in the midst of São Paulo’s vast megalopolis.
13th to 29th of June, 2025, London Richmond Arts & Ideas Festival

Debuting in London, at the Richmond Arts & Ideas Festival, the exhibition Nhemboaty - Clash of Worlds explores the profound historical and ongoing clash between indigenous traditions and the forces of urban expansion in Brazil. The exhibition brings together the photography of Rafael Vilela in collaboration with the Guarani Yvyrupa Commission. Translating multiple encounters — both physical and metaphysical — it reflects on colonization, as well as on the photographer’s encounter, five years ago, with this Indigenous community surrounded by the city, and the lessons learned about a reality that is both ancient and largely invisible to most people. The exhibition counts yet with the collaboration of British artist Eelyn Lee, who works around the common ground through rivers, caring for ecology and championing marginalised voices.

The Guarani Mbyá community, located in Brazil’s smallest Indigenous territory, continues to preserve its spiritual practices, language, cultural practices and agricultural traditions, offering a vital ecological wisdom that has sustained their community for generations. With their land of only 1.8 hectares nestled between the towering urban sprawl of São Paulo and the last remnants of the tropical forest, they stand as a symbol of resilience and ecological resistance. Since the invasion of the Portuguese, the Guarani have faced over 500 years of displacement, enslavement, and forced assimilation.

In the context of the Brazil-UK Cultural Year, and the London Climate Action Week (21st to 29th of June), the presence of Guarani Mbyá leaders and representatives will be essential to establish a connection with international audiences, development agents, and the overall community. The young Tainara Takua is one of these leaders, who voices their culture and fights through her music and original compositions. She will be in London to celebrate the exhibition and take part in parallel events and cultural exchange, alongside Rafael Vilela, including pocket shows, film projections and talks.

Nhemboaty – Clash of Worlds
June 13th to 29th, 2025 One Paved Court, 1 Paved Ct, Richmond TW9 1LZ, United Kingdom Wednesday to Sunday from 12 - 5pm.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

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Rafael Vilela

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