‘Pearls of Freedom’ Exhibition, Grand Hornu
As part of Europalia Brazil Grand Hornu Images offers a unique exhibition devoted to Afro-Brazilian jewelry, historic and contemporary. Created and worn by slaves as signs of recognition and emancipation or inspired by the country’s divinities, Afro-Brazilian jewelry combine the symbolic and emotional side with a very high aesthetic image. All the jewelry shown, from public and private collections, is divided into three parts: Pearls of emancipation, the Sacred and Pearls of Brazilian culture.
The exhibition will be available until 26 Feb 2012, the museum will be closed on 25 December and 1 January 2012. More information on www.grand-hornu-images.be (French site)
Pearls of emancipation
This jewelry (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches, crosses, amulets) worn during the era of slavery (sixteenth-nineteenth centuries) and even later as a sign of wealth, power and freedom…
Pearls of the Sacred
They concern necklaces used during the initiation and practice of Afro-Brazilian religions in various parts of the country (Batuque, Candomble, Macumba, Tambor de Mina, Shango) as a mean of identification and of adherence to the Sacred.
Pearls of the Brazilian Culture
They bring together images and sounds of Brazilian artists such as Carmen Miranda, Clara Nunes, Gal Costa, Maria Bethânia, Alcione, Mart'nália and Rita Ribeiro, who wear necklaces, bracelets and amulets that were similar to those created in the context of slavery and Afro-Brazilian religions.