Art and Anti-Imperialism in Latin America: The Visual Struggle for Sovereignty

Latin American art is deeply marked by a history of resistance. Throughout the centuries, artists have used their works as instruments of denunciation and affirmation, challenging forms of political, economic, and cultural domination. This article examines how this anti-imperialist tradition has manifested itself visually, exploring the historical context, the fundamental movements, and the artists who shaped this struggle, with special attention to the realities of Brazil.

The Historical Context: The Shadow of Imperialism

To understand art, it is necessary to understand the soil in which it germinates. The relationship between the United States and Latin America has been described as a dynamic of "obedience and defiance," in which American economic, political, and military influence plays a dominant role, often determining the course of the countries in the region.

This influence is not limited to the political field. Cultural imperialism—the dissemination of foreign values, lifestyles, and cultural models—operates as a powerful force that can undermine local identities. It was against this complex reality of domination and dependence that various artistic movements and individual creators rose up, using their work to question hegemonies and claim autonomy.

Latamarte