A Visual Quilombo. The Zumví Afro Photographic Archive.
Now extended through June 30, 2026.
This exhibition redefines the quilombo, historically a community of resistance for enslaved people, as a modern space of cultural autonomy. Through the lenses of Lázaro Roberto and the Zumví collective, we witness Salvador, Bahia, as a world where black identity is the universal standard. From the labor of street vendors to the political demands of activists, these images document a community's fight against systemic racism and its celebration of Negritude.
Founded in 1990 by self taught Afro Bahian photographers, the Zumví archive captures the spirit of quilombismo, a dedication to black sovereignty and memory. A highlight of the collection includes the historic 1991 visit of Nelson Mandela to Salvador, symbolizing a bridge between Brazilian resistance and global liberation movements.
The Benson Latin American Collection is honored to share this 2025 acquisition, the largest public collection of Zumví photography in North America. These works serve as a vital record of Afro Brazilian life, ensuring that the community remains the primary narrator of its own powerful history. This project was curated by Rachel E. Winston and D. Ryan Lynch, with research support from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. It was made possible through Title VI funding.
Location: Benson Latin American Collection Sid Richardson Hall, 2300 Red River St (SRH, Unit 1, Second Floor Collection)
