“Caminho para casa – o mar é sempre mais pra dentro” opens December 12 at MACC, showcasing Black family histories from the coast.
Starting December 12, the Caraguatatuba Museum of Art and Culture (MACC) presents “Caminho para casa – o mar é sempre mais pra dentro,” an exhibition by artist Manuela Navas. The show explores the daily lives, resistance, and memories of Black working-class families from the northern coast of São Paulo through painting, drawing, installation, and video.
After exhibiting in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, the United States, and Italy, Manuela brings her work for the first time to Caraguatatuba, the city where she has lived for two decades. Her pieces combine personal and collective narratives to depict belonging, identity, and resilience.
Memory and identity on the coast
Her paintings and drawings capture scenes of family life, work, and celebration, while the installation and videos document gestures and oral testimonies, reinforcing the connection between community and territory. The exhibition sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of Afro-Brazilian families to Caraguatatuba’s cultural identity.
Accessibility and inclusion
The opening event will feature a Libras interpreter, accessible guidance for reduced mobility visitors, and audio description for the visually impaired, ensuring inclusivity for all audiences.
Cultural support
The project is funded through Caraguatatuba’s Aldir Blanc National Policy for Cultural Promotion (PNAB), which supports artistic initiatives across Brazil and strengthens local cultural production.
About the artist
Born in Jundiaí in 1996, Manuela Navas has lived in Caraguatatuba for 20 years. A self-taught artist, she works with painting, engraving, and video to explore themes such as Black identity, femininity, and motherhood. Her art transforms everyday life into reflections on existence and memory.
Her work has been part of major shows such as “Dos Brasis – Arte e Pensamento Negro” (Sesc Belenzinho, 2023) and “Funk: um grito de ousadia e liberdade” (Rio Art Museum, 2023). Navas has also held solo exhibitions in São Paulo and Italy and collaborated on cultural projects including the albums and books of Lia de Itamaracá, Daúde, and Itamar Vieira Junior.
Service
Exhibition: Caminho para casa – o mar é sempre mais pra dentro
Venue: Caraguatatuba Museum of Art and Culture – Praça Dr. Cândido Motta, 72, Centro
Opening: December 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Exhibition period: December 12 to February 28
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Photo: Bruna Marcatto
