Olu Oguibe is a distinguished interdisciplinary artist and scholar renowned for his compelling exploration of identity, migration, and social justice through contemporary art. His practice often intertwines personal narrative with broader historical and sociopolitical issues, deeply engaging global audiences.

For the 36th Bienal de São Paulo, Oguibe presents a monument in three Brazilian cities – São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belém – which aims to spotlight ongoing injustices against Indigenous communities in Brazil and worldwide. The monument’s presence is intended to serve as a highly visible acknowledgment of Indigenous struggles, notably addressing the persistent encroachment on Indigenous lands due to agricultural, logging, and mining interests, alongside the violent repression Indigenous activists frequently endure. Conceptually, Oguibe envisions the monument as a tall, large billboard on a building gable, clearly visible from afar in the urban horizon and surrounding areas. Each billboard panel prominently features a provoking question, “MUST YOU TAKE EVERYTHING THAT BELONGS TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE?,” translated respectively into Nheengatu, Portuguese, and English. Through this multilingual display, Oguibe emphasizes the international resonance and urgency of Indigenous rights.

The project integrates activism with dialogue to document and disseminate ongoing Indigenous struggles, fostering broader awareness and solidarity. The mural monument exemplifies Oguibe’s consistent commitment to art as a vehicle for social reflection, change, and empowerment, highlighting the artist’s enduring dedication to confronting pressing global concerns through transformative artistic expression.