Brazilian artist's anti-colonialism work resonates with Chinese audience

Through 20-odd works from Oba's recent practice, spanning oil on canvas, ink on paper and installation, Fables, running until March 20, sheds light on the artist's ongoing exploration of colonial history and identity, according to the exhibit's curator Rao Kuizhen.

Born into a black family in a small Brazilian town, Oba identifies himself as a mestizo, a mixed-race person. His Nigerian ancestors were trafficked by European colonists to Brazil.

"I hope through Fables, I can communicate my inner perception as well as my memories and understanding of being a Brazilian to the audience," said Oba in the video he made for the Beijing show.

To create his visually alluring paintings, Oba draws on copious sources, and archival photos of historical events, as the curator revealed, serve as an important source of inspiration for his recent practice.