Maxwell Alexandre (Brazil) in his work constructs narratives and scenes structured from his daily experiences in Rio de Janeiro, and the neighbourhood of Rocinha, where he lives and works. His large-format paintings use different supports, including canvases of Capri pools, doors and iron frames, out of which emerge anonymous personages in situations recurrent in the favela. The scenes present black bodies in an empowered way, but also in moments of confrontation with the police, portraying a radically contemporary community routine.
Maxwell graduated in Design from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Prior to this he participated in the Photography Course for works registration of PAC (Growth Acceleration Program) in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
In 2018 Maxwell held his first solo exhibition, The Baptism of Maxwell Alexandre and participated in the group show Abre Alas 14, both at A Gentil Carioca gallery. In the same year he participated in the group exhibition Histórias Afro-Atlânticasat MASP (Museum of Art of São Paulo). In 2017 he was part of the group exhibition Carpintaria para todos, at the Fortes D’Aloia & Gabriel gallery and had a solo exhibition Laje só existe com gente at Escola Surfe – Complexo Esportivo da Rocinha – RJ. Maxwell also has a work in the collection of the Pinacoteca of São Paulo.
With support from
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Please note all artist-in-residence biographies are accurate at the time of their residency. For up-to-date bios please visit the artist’s website.