Exhibition “Rio de Ciro: The City in Woodcuts”

Portraying the marvelous city through the strength of northeastern art, the Chácara do Céu Museum – located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro – opens its doors to the unprecedented exhibition 'Cyrus' River: The City in Woodcuts'.

With free entry, the program celebrates the trajectory of the visual artist Ciro Fernandes and his passion for Rio de Janeiro, through 76 original works that range from the ancient technique of woodcuts to other styles, such as paintings, engravings, lithographs and India ink.

Designed for everyone—art lovers, tourists, and locals seeking an enriching cultural experience—the exhibition features works that engage with the region's popular narratives and reveal the versatility of wood engraver, painter, illustrator, writer, and luthier Ciro Fernandes, using a variety of visual languages.

The opening, which will take place from 12 pm to 16:30 pm on October 18, will feature a special reception for journalists, friends, admirers and well-known figures from the art scene, including a cocktail party and exclusive interviews with Ciro Fernandes.

Also during the opening ceremony, guests will enjoy a unique performance of Brazilian music, bringing the sounds of Rio de Janeiro into dialogue with the exhibition's visual experience. Guitarist and composer Jean Charnaux will perform a special performance featuring stunning views of Rio de Janeiro.

Distributed across different thematic sections, the exhibition begins with 'Ciro's Rio: A Love Affair,' which portrays the artist's arrival in Rio de Janeiro and his passion for the city, with works that capture the urban cycle and daily life of Rio residents. The next section, 'Lapa and Its Mysteries,' reveals the neighborhood's bohemian and cultural atmosphere, highlighting iconic figures such as Madame Satã and immortalizing the diversity and essence of its streets.

The exhibition continues to connect the public with its northeastern roots through the sections 'The Cordelista Tradition Arrives in the Marvelous City', which narrates how the artist revived woodcuts in the capital's urban cordels; and 'The Exuberant Nature of Ciro' (Immersive Room), which transports visitors into a glass room with the artist's works in the form of 'lambe-lambes' and stickers, allowing the works to interact with the panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro.

Integrating different formats, the exhibition is not limited to woodcuts, but also includes acrylic paintings on canvas; engravings and lithographs; illustrations; Indian ink art; as well as covers of cordéis, LPs, newspaper articles and books by great writers illustrated by the artist.

Attendees will also be able to gain inspiration and immerse themselves in Ciro Fernandes' creative landscape through the display of his work tools, such as the press, carving materials, and the wooden dies used for the works. These tools helped dictate the varying dimensions of the works, with the smallest measuring 28 x 32 cm and the largest measuring 90 x 220 cm.

Within the exhibition, visitors will be able to contemplate works such as Cardeal (Woodcut – Year 2022 – 96 x 33 cm); Massacre da Candelária (Acrylic paint on canvas – Year 1990 – 80 x 120 cm); São Jorge Ogum (Woodcut – Year – 65 x 160 cm); Além de Amanhecer (Woodcut – Year 2022 – 28 x 38 cm), Lapa (Woodcut – Year 1979 – 65 x 96 cm), and Madame Satã (Woodcut – Year 1979 – 64 x 47 cm).

As a way to democratize access to culture, the exhibition will feature four workshops for children from public schools in the Santa Teresa region. Using recycled material prints (Tetrapack), the workshops offer playful and cultural activities for children, exploring Rio de Janeiro's natural beauty and exploring the city's birdlife, reflecting Ciro Fernandes' inspiration.

Accessibility and inclusion in the national exhibition 'O Rio de Ciro'

Expanding access to art, the exhibition will feature tools that make the works more accessible to visitors. The existing matrices have tactile parts that allow for touch; the space is filled with Braille plaques for wall texts, audio descriptions, and extended captions for the main works. The event will also offer guided tours with specialized instructors on specific days.

The exhibition is curated by Mariana Lannes, director of cultural production and creator of artistic projects, with national experience in music, visual arts, popular culture and social impact; and Alessandro Zoe, founder of the artistic management firm CRIVO, with over 8 years of experience leading cultural productions in theater, music and visual arts.

Ciro Fernandes, at the ripe old age of 83, is one of the greatest names in the Brazilian art scene, considered a living legacy of woodcut art in the country. With a career marked by his expressive lines, originality, and commitment to preserving Northeastern traditions, Ciro continues to inspire new generations to expand the boundaries of folk art.

The project is covered by the Pró-Carioca notice, a program to promote Rio de Janeiro culture, from the City of Rio de Janeiro, through the Municipal Department of Culture.