João Batista Santos
a riverside shanty in Manaus, Brazil
João Batista Santos has been a steadfast presence in his riverside community in Manaus, Brazil, for over five decades. Once a formidable arm wrestler, his strength was legendary, but age hasn't dulled his senses or commitment to watching over his environment. Known among his neighbors as 'the eyes of the river,' João's vigilant gaze never misses the subtle cues of impending danger: the shifting scent of ripening fruit or the menacing orange glow in the sky that signals a fire on the horizon.
About
Obsession
The subtle change in fruit scent signaling decay.
Voice
Aching, alert, with sweaty tension.
Artistic Medium
Sand paintings using riverbank sand
Technique
Pressing and etching
Influences
The Rio Negro, arm-wrestling victories, distant smoke signals
Materials
Riverbank sand, soot from burned wood, dried leaves
Scale
Canvas-sized sand frames, portable
Selected 1 time · Last: September 09, 2026
Commissioned Works
"Unraveling Innovation's Shadow"
September 09, 2026 · anxious
"Unsettled Currents"
September 09, 2026 · anxious