The Atlantic is Black: SOLO SHOW BY RENÉ TAVARES

11 September - 2 November 2024
Overview
"My work reflects on the African diaspora and the forms of miscegenation that have occurred. It also mirrors my creative process as an artist, following the rhythm of a blending of times, places, and mediums, which dissolves the rigid boundaries between domains."– RenéTavares
In partnership with ARTCO Gallery, THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE is proud to present “THE ATLANTIC IS BLACK” - the first solo exhibition by São Toméan artist RENÉ TAVARES in Berlin.
 
Tavares‘ practice is an homage to the Austral and Atlantic Africa, which was constantly developing in exchange with the Americas. Islands like São Tomé and Príncipe were used as logistical centers, test laboratories, and production sites and thus became a marketplace for ideas and identities in the “Black Atlantic”. With this understanding, Tavares is inline with Paul Gilroy’s thesis that the cultural history of the African Diaspora is not simply African, American or European, but was created through the brutally enforced trade between these spaces across the Atlantic. 
 
Through his diverse work, René Tavares is re-navigating these ancient routes and proposes narratives that reassess the historical significance of the African continent and its multifaceted cultural heritage. Far from Western epistemologies, Tavares layers experiences, emotions and associations in his creative pro- cess. A form of knowledge production that opens up an understanding of the contemporary exchanges within the Diaspora communities today. 
 
Works
  • René Tavares This Land Belongs to Us, 2023 Oil, pigment, charcoal, and acrylic on canvas 175 x 205 cm
    René Tavares
    This Land Belongs to Us, 2023
    Oil, pigment, charcoal, and acrylic on canvas
    175 x 205 cm
  • René Tavares Crioulo - Carruagem Lusa, 2023 Stencil and pigment on cloth 180 x 152 cm
    René Tavares
    Crioulo - Carruagem Lusa, 2023
    Stencil and pigment on cloth
    180 x 152 cm
  • René Tavares Grand ma's memories, 2023 Oil, pigment, charcoal, acrylic and gold paper on raw cloth 177 x 171 cm
    René Tavares
    Grand ma's memories, 2023
    Oil, pigment, charcoal, acrylic and gold paper on raw cloth
    177 x 171 cm
  • René Tavares Cabrito - Carruagem Lusa, 2023 Stencil and pigment on cloth 173 x 150 cm
    René Tavares
    Cabrito - Carruagem Lusa, 2023
    Stencil and pigment on cloth
    173 x 150 cm
  • René Tavares Leve Leve Mood, 2023 Oil, pigment, and acrylic on canvas 158 x 182 cm
    René Tavares
    Leve Leve Mood, 2023
    Oil, pigment, and acrylic on canvas
    158 x 182 cm
  • René Tavares African Garden, 2023 Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper 58 x 58 cm
    René Tavares
    African Garden, 2023
    Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper
    58 x 58 cm
  • René Tavares African Garden, 2023 Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper 58 x 58 cm
    René Tavares
    African Garden, 2023
    Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper
    58 x 58 cm
  • René Tavares African Garden, 2023 Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper 58 x 58 cm
    René Tavares
    African Garden, 2023
    Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper
    58 x 58 cm
  • René Tavares Bumbo - Carruagem Lusa, 2023 Stencil and pigment on cloth 173 x 152 cm
    René Tavares
    Bumbo - Carruagem Lusa, 2023
    Stencil and pigment on cloth
    173 x 152 cm
  • René Tavares Escarumba - Carruagem Lusa, 2023 Stencil and pigment on cloth 178 x 148 cm
    René Tavares
    Escarumba - Carruagem Lusa, 2023
    Stencil and pigment on cloth
    178 x 148 cm
  • René Tavares Grosso - Carruagem Lusa, 2023 Stencil and pigment on cloth 170 x 144 cm
    René Tavares
    Grosso - Carruagem Lusa, 2023
    Stencil and pigment on cloth
    170 x 144 cm
  • René Tavares Ladies of Themselves, 2024 Oil, pigment, charcoal and acrylic on canvas 182 x 162 cm
    René Tavares
    Ladies of Themselves, 2024
    Oil, pigment, charcoal and acrylic on canvas
    182 x 162 cm
  • René Tavares Memórias para curar o futuro, 2019 India ink, pigment, and linoleum on Chinese calligraphy paper 76 x 47 cm
    René Tavares
    Memórias para curar o futuro, 2019
    India ink, pigment, and linoleum on Chinese calligraphy paper
    76 x 47 cm
    Sold
  • René Tavares Memórias para curar o futuro, 2019 India ink, pigment, and linoleum on Chinese calligraphy paper 76 x 47 cm
    René Tavares
    Memórias para curar o futuro, 2019
    India ink, pigment, and linoleum on Chinese calligraphy paper
    76 x 47 cm
  • René Tavares Mulato - Carruagem Lusa, 2023 Stencil and pigment on cloth 174 x 150 cm
    René Tavares
    Mulato - Carruagem Lusa, 2023
    Stencil and pigment on cloth
    174 x 150 cm
  • René Tavares Piá mù – Look at me, 2022 Plywood and oil and pigment on wood 66 x 56 x 3 cm
    René Tavares
    Piá mù – Look at me, 2022
    Plywood and oil and pigment on wood
    66 x 56 x 3 cm
  • René Tavares Piá mù – Look at me, 2022 Plywood and oil and pigment on wood 66 x 56 x 3 cm
    René Tavares
    Piá mù – Look at me, 2022
    Plywood and oil and pigment on wood
    66 x 56 x 3 cm
  • René Tavares Piá mù – Look at me, 2022 Plywood and oil and pigment on wood 66 x 56 x 3 cm
    René Tavares
    Piá mù – Look at me, 2022
    Plywood and oil and pigment on wood
    66 x 56 x 3 cm
  • René Tavares Special Request to the Divine River, 2024 Oil, pigment, charcoal and acrylic on canvas 190 x 195 cm
    René Tavares
    Special Request to the Divine River, 2024
    Oil, pigment, charcoal and acrylic on canvas
    190 x 195 cm
  • René Tavares The Big Discovery, 2024 Oil, pigment, charcoal and acrylic on canvas 152 x 199 cm
    René Tavares
    The Big Discovery, 2024
    Oil, pigment, charcoal and acrylic on canvas
    152 x 199 cm
    Sold
  • René Tavares African Garden, 2023 Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper 232 x 348 cm (total) // 58 x 58 cm (each-framed)
    René Tavares
    African Garden, 2023
    Pigment, acrylic and oil on Chinese rice paper
    232 x 348 cm (total) // 58 x 58 cm (each-framed)
    Sold
Installation Views