Desconstruir o Colonialismo, Descolonizar o Imaginário

This exhibition at the Museu Nacional de Etnologia in Lisbon critically examines Portuguese colonialism in Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries. Through thematic panels combining text and images, it presents the driving forces of colonial ideology while aiming to deconstruct the myths it created. The show also features a selection of 139 African artworks, including pieces from the museum's collection, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and collector Francisco Capelo, alongside contemporary works by artists Lívio de Morais, Hilaire Balu Kuyangiko, and Mónica de Miranda.

Organized by the Centro de Estudos Sobre África e Desenvolvimento (CESA/ISEG) and the Museu Nacional de Etnologia, the exhibition offers a pedagogical and accessible approach to renewing knowledge about Portugal's colonial past. Visitors can explore how African art serves as material evidence of the continent's cultural and social complexity, challenging the falsifying nature of colonial narratives. Guided tours are available, providing deeper insight into the themes and artworks on display.