As part of the Rhodes Trust’s expanding community engagement programme, we recently hosted the premiere of Sylvia Morgado's film, Paving the Way - Pavilion Maxwell Alexandre, at Rhodes House. You can watch the short film here.
The film centres on the work of artist Maxwell Alexandre. Alexandre is a contemporary Brazilian artist who celebrates Black culture and identity in his paintings, powerfully portraying individuals in positions of authority. He’s known for creating pop-up galleries, or 'pavilions,' in unexpected places in Brazil, forming new audiences and shaking up the art scene. In the documentary, Morgado talks to visitors to these pavilions to see how Alexandre’s work affects them and to explore whether these encounters inspire people to visit other art spaces they might not have visited otherwise.
Morgado was joined by Rafa Guse, one of the film's participants, who travelled to Oxford from Brazil to share her experiences of arts and cultural spaces, along with interpreter Luena Ricardo. The event was introduced by Rhodes Scholar and Public Art Engagement Officer Maitha AlSuwaidi, who highlighted the reclamatory power of public art and the importance of opening up Rhodes House to the public.
It was great to welcome members of the local community to Rhodes House to continue the discussion about how we can diversify audiences in museums and galleries here in Oxford, too.
Sylvia Morgado commented:
“Premiering the film at Rhodes House provided an invaluable opportunity to reach a broader audience and welcome new visitors. It was a memorable evening! I was amazed by the feedback I received. Many people approached me after the talk to share that they learned new things through the captivating characters and were curious to learn more about the artist. I’m pleased that the film stimulated thoughtful conversations and opened a dialogue around inclusivity in art institutions among the guests. Knowing the film is fulfilling its intended purpose gives me a sense of accomplishment. It was also wonderful to have Rafaela as a guest, as she could speak for herself and share her experience participating in the documentary and her relationship with culture.”
Rafa Guse shared:
“It was an honour to represent my country, the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and our culture in the film and the event. This exchange opened doors for me to develop projects on a level that previously would have been impossible for me to achieve.”
This event is part of the Rhodes Trust's public engagement programme - keep an eye on our social media channels and website for future talks and events open to all!
