Photographers showcase Pernambuco’s baobab trees and their history
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Luara Olívia and Mateus Guedes are displaying photographs of baobab trees in Arcoverde, a city in the Sertão region of Pernambuco, Brazil, until September 18.
The exhibit, called “Árvore Ancestral” (Ancestral Tree), then moves to Vicência in the Zona da Mata Norte region. Mateus Guedes conceived the project after researching baobab trees in Pernambuco and the meanings people associate with them. The exhibition features 20 large-format photographs and 15 Polaroid images.
The photographers focused on both the size of the trees and their unique details, aiming to help viewers recognize the trees as important historical and cultural landmarks. Guedes explained that baobab trees hold a special place in the history and imagination of African and Afro-descendant peoples. The exhibit goes beyond simply documenting the trees by creating an immersive environment.
The artists incorporated fruits, branches, seeds, and leaves collected during their research into the display, connecting the photographs to the tree’s natural cycle. This approach emphasizes the long-standing relationship between baobab trees and local communities, traditions, and stories. The show in Arcoverde is part of an effort to bring the exhibition to different parts of Pernambuco, after it was previously shown in Recife and Limoeiro. The artists plan to continue travelling through the state, sharing their work with more communities.
