Darlan de Lima is a Macuxi man from the Maturuca Community, Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Territory. He is 18 years old and a young artist whose paintings are inspired by ancestry and community life. His art also reflects the indigenous movement. In his community, Darlan is also a communicator and Indigenous Health Agent (AIS). He states that he has been developing his art since his school days, and from there he began selling and exhibiting it. The young man is also inspired by the forests and animals of Raposa Serra do Sol. After his mentor, Professor and artist Charles Gabriel (son of Vovó Bernaldina, a shaman and traditional reference of the Macuxi people, who passed away in 2020), gave him a notebook and lent him painting materials, he felt comfortable drawing.
"He gave me a sketchbook, and I started creating. It gave me a spark of inspiration, allowing me to put my drawings, art, crafts, experiences, and nature into practice. That's how my first drawing came about, and he took the sketchbook with the pages I'd made and started selling them. We split the money he earned. Soon I started getting good returns, and shortly after, I bought my own materials and started my own production. Through partnerships, I managed to sell independently. Recently, I've been working with canvases. Some items are very difficult to find in Boa Vista, like Posca markers (water-based paint pens), but we've managed to order them from other states, though they're not very cheap. I took a break because I'm out of those materials, but I have a good amount of work to exhibit and sell, and my means of promotion are Facebook, Instagram, and friends. That's how I've been making my sales. My inspiration comes from showing the indigenous movement, the reality, the past and the future, and the influences we've been experiencing. And my art is made from traditional dances and music, legends, myths..." "Stories told by ancestors, that's what inspires me," said Darlan.
Photos: Darlan's collection
He also states that due to the difficulty in obtaining materials, he has taken short breaks from painting, but that he enjoys his art and hopes to be involved in a project or have the support of partners to continue.
Darlan also stressed that he fears the lack of appreciation for his work, and that it is often not recognized, but that over time he has shown that what he has done values the tradition of his people, community, region and his land.
If you would like to learn more about and support the work of visual artist Darlan, please contact him through his social media channels: Instagram: darlalimapedro and Facebook: Darlan Lima Pedro. Let's support our indigenous artists.
Photos from the collection of Darla Lima (All rights reserved)