Through works such as Figura da encruzilhada: o escalpelado, the artist addresses the spiritual dimensions of identity and the power of religious rituals to both preserve and transform cultural heritage. In the present work, the abstraction of the central figure is used on purpose to represent the unseen forces of the spiritual world that apply to all people and all races.

The title of the work Figura da encruzilhada: o escalpelado (Figure of the crossroads) evokes the symbolic significance of the crossroads in Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, where the intersection of paths represents a place of decision, conflict, and spiritual transition. The word ‘‘escalpelado,’’ which translates to “scalped”, adds another layer of meaning, referring to both a historical trauma and a deeper metaphysical stripping away, a kind of rebirth or deconstruction of identity which blends with the main subject; the revival that is brought through the Baptism.

The chromatic palette is mainly earthly tones -brown and red- and is used to evoke a sense of reverence and devotion, mirroring the immersive experience of participating in religious ceremonies, such as the Baptism, where the physical environment is charged with spiritual energy. In Brazil, the syncretism between Catholicism and Afro-Brazilian spirituality has led to a complex blending of religious practices, often rooted in resistance to colonial oppression and slavery. Figura da encruzilhada: o escalpelado serves as a reminder of the resilience of Afro-Brazilian spiritual practices, which continue to thrive despite centuries of marginalization.

The present work is a powerful reminder of the need to revisit and reimagine historical traumas, while also honoring the deeply spiritual processes that allow communities to heal, rebuild, and transcend. The figure in the painting, “scalped” yet alive, is an embodiment of cultural endurance, spiritual reclamation, and the ongoing journey of self-definition.