Internationally recognized Brazilian artist Eder Muniz will bring the world closer to Nebraska through his upcoming artist talk and live painting session at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Nebraska Union Platte River Room.
The presentation, sponsored by the Education Abroad Office and Global Affairs, will focus on Muniz’s work and the connection between humanity and nature demonstrated in street art. The event is free and open to the public.
Through his art, which depicts colorful imagery of plants, animals and humans, Muniz aims to raise awareness of indigenous cultures and inspire public discourse on how nature can unite people from all walks of life. Today, his works can be found throughout the streets of his hometown, Salvador da Bahia, and across four continents. He also founded Calangos, an art movement that unites artists to create and encourage cultural spaces in areas surrounding the favelas of Salvador.
After his talk, Muniz will move to the Meier Commons green space (north of the Nebraska Union) to complete a new painting that will be gifted to the university for display in the Education Abroad Office in Love Library South. The artwork will eventually be moved to the university’s Global Education Center, a key initiative outlined in the Forward Together global strategy that will create a one-stop hub for students to engage in global experiential learning.
Muniz’s initial connection with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln came through a study abroad program to Salvador, Brazil, hosted by the College of Education and Human Sciences. The friendships formed with Nebraska faculty members led to Muniz hosting a series of graffiti workshops in 2019 where he taught his techniques of integrating fine arts and graffiti streets.
“Opportunities for cultural exchange are not only important for those that can go abroad, but are important for all UNL students,” said Cody Hollist, interim director of the Education Abroad Office and associate professor of child, youth and family studies. “We’re very excited to invite Eder back on campus to share how he uses graffiti to emphasize our global connections and the interdependence of humanity.”
Muniz’s connection to the university has also led to ongoing engagement with the Lincoln community. He is currently in town to paint a mural for the Emerge LNK initiative organized by the Lux Center for the Arts. Located on the south wall of NE Electric Tattoo on 48th Street, the new mural will be revealed at an event, 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 3. In 2019, Muniz also painted a large mural outside The Bay featuring indigenous people, colorful plants and animals.
“I encourage all students, faculty, staff and members of our community to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from Eder and watch his artwork come alive during the painting session,” Hollist said. “Bringing individuals like Eder who have had a profound impact on students is one way we aim to increase global experiential learning opportunities in alignment with N2025.”
