Austin Martin White: The Lie, the larp and the lusophile

Through paintings and works on paper, White examines the construction of collective memory and explores postcolonial historiography as well as the ways in which images shape cultural narratives.

In doing so, he explores the blurred line between historical fact, national myth, and cultural identity. The exhibition focuses on the legacy of the Brazilian Baroque sculptor Antônio Francisco Lisboa (c. 1738–1814), known as Aleijadinho, whose biography has long oscillated between documented history and legend.

White presents portraits of the artist alongside depictions of his sculptures of the prophets in the sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos in Congonhas. Other paintings draw on the woodcut covers of *Literatura de Cordel*—those popular printed booklets from northeastern Brazil in which folklore, religion, politics, and history merge. Using polyethylene film, screen-printing mesh, pigments, rubber, vinyl, and spray paint, White creates multi-layered surfaces that reflect the fragmented and media-mediated nature of historical narratives. His works invite viewers to reflect on how stories are constructed, disseminated, and ultimately accepted as true.

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm

Runtime: Thu, 10/09/2026 to Sat, 17/10/2026

Takes place here:

• Capitain Petzel