A TRANSPOSIÇÃO DE MATERIAIS DE ORIGEM ANIMAL DO CANDOMBLÉ CONGO-ANGOLA PARA A PRODUÇÃO DE ESCULTURA

This dissertation investigates the transposition of animal-derived materials used in the
immolation rituals of Afro-Brazilian religions into three-dimensional art, aiming to foster
a critical reflection on the representation and position of Afro-diasporic art within the
contemporary artistic scene. The research focuses on artistic practice in both religious
communities and art institutions, where symbolic elements — such as leather, feathers,
bones, fibers, and shells — fundamental to African-derived religious practices, intersect
with my creative process. The study looks to understand the specificities of these
materials and the tensions arising from their use in Afro-diasporic art production,
reflecting on the paradoxes between tradition and contemporary artistic challenges
through an analysis of my own contemporary artwork. Furthermore, the research
highlights the significance of experiential engagement within religious communities,
showing how these practices strengthen sociocultural belonging and contribute to artistic
creation. The dissertation thus proposes a dialogue between artistic practice, enriched by
immersion in African-origin communities, and contemporary forms of artistic expression,
recovering and reinventing ancestry in three-dimensional art production.
Keywords: Abject, afro diasporic art, Contemporary art, Religion, Rites of immolation.