LITTLE AFRICAS

Heitor dos Prazeres is one of the fullest manifestations of the possibilities that opened up in Little Africa for Afro-descendant people to exercise their creativity and citizenship. Composer, singer, painter extraordinaire, draughtsman, designer and costume designer, and the nephew of Hilário Jovino (founder of the first carnival ranch, the Rei de Ouros), Heitor represented himself and his community with undisputed haughtiness and authenticity. In Carioca circles or at the São Paulo Biennial, which awarded and honored him, he was one of the most fully-realized artists of his generation, smashing both prejudice and conventionality.