Cinema Iris (from the series 'Album de Xiloravura'

Isa Aderne

The woodcut medium in 1960s Brazil arrived at the confluence of global social changes, and for Isa Aderne, living in Salvador along the border between Brazil and Argentina, had exposed her to clashes in ideals since World War II. Brazil had been staunchly anti-Nazi and had sent troops to help the U.S. and Allies in the liberation of Europe, while Argentina took a more lenient view of Nazi Germany. To Aderne, art became an expression of this divide.

When she attended the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro, she was exposed to woodcut techniques by Oswaldo Goermi, a celebrated Brazilian printmaker and follower of the German Expressionist style and ideals. An appreciation of the everyday lives and struggles of working class people became a central focus of Aderne's woodcut works.

In her print "Cinema Iris," a simple urban scene in the lobby of a movie theater is brought to life by Aderne's bold, unfettered style and attention to particular detail: posters, painted decor, and the outfits of the duo as they take a break from the daily doldrums to enjoy a film. This image is number 7 from a portfolio of 18 woodcuts she did that featured the everyday lives of the people, titled 'Album de Xilogravura', (Album of Woodcuts).