Tiago Sant’Ana

Santo Antônio de Jesus, Brasil, 1990

Lives and works in Salvador, Brazil.

Tiago Sant’Ana, recognized as a visual artist, curator, and PhD in Culture and Society from the Federal University of Bahia, centers his artistic practice on the exploration of Afro-diasporic narratives, with a focus on memory and history. Moreover, the artist employs various mediums, such as photography, video, and painting, to develop an aesthetic investigation that combines conceptual and political approaches, bridging identity and imagination.

Additionally, Tiago Sant’Ana’s works reflect a consistent effort to engage with contemporary social and cultural issues. On the other hand, his practice has been widely recognized by critics and curators, establishing him as one of the leading Brazilian artists of today. Consequently, the conceptual and aesthetic impact of Tiago Sant’Ana reaffirms his significance in the Brazilian visual arts scene. Thus, he remains a key reference in the discourse on contemporary art and culture.

EXPOSIÇÕES

Throughout his career, Tiago Sant’Ana has held significant solo exhibitions that highlight his artistic research and his ability to delve into themes such as memory, identity, and Afro-diasporic narratives. Among the most notable exhibitions are Estrelas Flamejantes em Manhã de Sol, presented at Galeria Alban in Salvador, Brazil (2022), and Irmãos de Barco, held at Galeria Leme in São Paulo, Brazil (2021). Additionally, his previous exhibitions, such as Aquém-mar at Senac Lapa in São Paulo (2019) and Baixa dos Sapateiros (curated by Clarissa Diniz) at Simone Cadinelli Arte Contemporânea in Rio de Janeiro (2018), reinforce his commitment to aesthetic and conceptual investigation. Another noteworthy exhibition was Casa de Purgar (curated by Ayrson Heráclito), showcased at Paço Imperial in Rio de Janeiro in 2018. These solo shows collectively establish Tiago Sant’Ana as one of the leading figures in Brazilian visual arts.

You can take a Virtual Tour of the solo exhibition “Irmãos de Barco,” 2021, featuring text by Moacir dos Anjos, at Galeria Leme.

Download C.V.

Education

2023 – PhD in Culture and Society, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
2016 – Master in Culture and Society, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Ondina, Bahia, Brazil
2011 – Bachelor in Social Communication, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cachoeira, Bahia, Brazil

Solo Exhibitions

2025 – Fulgor Atlântico, Galeria Leme, São Paulo, Brazil
2022 – Estrelas flamejantes em manhã de sol, Roberto Alban Galeria, Salvador, Brazil
2021 – Irmãos de Barco, Galeria Leme, São Paulo, Brazil
2019 – Aquém-mar, Senac Lapa Scipião, São Paulo, Brazil
2018 – Baixa dos Sapateiros (curated by Clarissa Diniz), Simone Cadinelli Arte Contemporânea, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Casa de Purgar (curated by Ayrson Heráclito), Paço Imperial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Museu de Arte da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

Group Exhibitions

- 2024 – El Dorado: Myths of Gold, Americas Society, New York, USA
  Kristallisationspunkte, Kunstmuseum Heidenheim, Germany
  Invisible Luggage, Historic Hampton House, Miami, USA
  Eyes that Listen, Center for Art, Research and Alliances, New York, USA
  Antes e Agora, Museu Oscar Niemeyer, Curitiba, Brazil
  Necessidade Vontade Desejo, Galeria Athena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  Cais, Galeria Galatea, Salvador, Brazil
  Iniciadas – ancestralidades contemporâneas, Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
  Encruzilhadas da arte Afro-brasileira, CCBB Rio de Janeiro & Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  Dos Brasis – arte e pensamento negro, SESC Quitandinha, Petrópolis, Brazil
  Entre nós: dez anos de bolsa ZUM/IMS, Paço Imperial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  Que mar se vê afinal da minha língua?, Macau & Mindelo, Cabo Verde
  Nordeste expandido, Convento das Mercês, São Luís, Brazil
  Delírio Tropical, Pinacoteca do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
  Nise da Silveira – a revolução pelo afeto, CCBB Brasília, Brazil
  Dona Fulô e outras joias negras, Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
  Último lote, Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
  Um defeito de cor, Sesc Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil

Awards

2023 – Nominated for PIPA Prize, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2021 – Photograph Prize ZUM, Instituto Moreira Salles, São Paulo, Brazil
2020 – Soros Arts Fellowship, USA
2019 – Foco ArtRio Prize, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2018 – Nominated for PIPA Prize, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2014 – Special mention, Salão de Artes Visuais da Bahia, Camaçari, Brazil
2013 – Special mention, Salão de Artes Visuais da Bahia, Teixeira de Freitas, Brazil
Portas abertas para as Artes Visuais, Fundação Cultural do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

Residencies

2020 – Capacete, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2018 – HANGAR – Centro de Investigação Artística, Lisbon, Portugal
2016 – Casa Comum, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Collections

Instituto Inhotim, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Denver Art Museum, USA
Museu de Arte de São Paulo – MASP, São Paulo, Brazil
Pinacoteca de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Instituto Moreira Salles, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Coleção Moraes Barbosa, São Paulo, Brazil
Museu de Arte do Rio – MAR, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia – MAM-BA, Salvador, Brazil
Casa da Cultura da América Latina, Brasília, Brazil
Coleção Banco do Nordeste, Fortaleza, Brazil