Gallery on Bus Takes Works by Artist Kobra to the Outskirts of São Paulo

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Known in the streets of Brazil and the world, muralist and artist Kobra transformed a bus into a mobile art gallery to present some of his works to the population of São Paulo, especially those who live on the outskirts of the city.

The bus was named “Galeria Circular” (Itinerant Gallery) and will travel through twelve locations in the city of São Paulo, such as Brasilândia, Vila Madalena, Cidade Tiradentes, Bom Retiro, and the community of Heliópolis; and in downtown Diadema, presenting fourteen of his works that have been or are still on display in several places around the world.

Some of the works exhibited inside the bus are clippings of murals and others are paintings. Outside, the bus presents part of the mural called Ethnics, made by the artist in Rio de Janeiro, for the 2016 Olympics. This is one of the most massive graphite murals in the world, with 3000 square meters.

Kobra, who first entered a museum when he was in his thirties, said the idea of the bus is to take art to various places in the city, especially in the outskirts where he grew up: “People in the outskirts go through so many difficulties, and I am providing a different moment, an experience for people who have often never entered an art gallery,” he said.

The artist believes that his works can encourage new artists. “Somehow, I’m also bringing my work to show that, if it worked out for me, that I was born and came from the same
place as them, it could work for anyone of them,” said Kobra.

The visit to the Itinerant Gallery is free and runs until September 8th, when it will end at Oswaldo Cruz Square, on Avenida Paulista, next to the mural that Kobra made in honor
of architect Oscar Niemeyer.