Kobra is a globally recognized mural artist from São Paulo, Brazil. His name, Kobra, came from Brazilian slang. Kobra formally means snake and informally means ‘something that is quite different, someone who is quite good at something.’ Kobra began as a graffiti artist in one of the poorer neighborhoods of São Paulo. He was originally inspired to begin creating murals by the idea of creating art that highlighted and maintained the historical heritage of São Paulo, as he noticed that so much of public art in the city depicted buildings that no longer existed. He created the Wall of Memories in 2002, a series of murals that portray scenes of São Paulo from the beginning of 20th century. He also painted a mural in 2011 to protest the demolition of a building in Lyon, France and the displacement of its residents. They asked for Kobra’s services because they believed the art would call attention to their cause and the history of their building. He has many other famous works, such as Etnias, a mural made for the Rio Olympics in 2016 or Cacao, a mural honoring the making of chocolate and is the world’s largest spray-painted mural. Many of his murals focus on issues such as discrimination, conservation, and human rights. However, one overarching theme across all of them is unity across and within religions, cultures, and countries.
The artifact I would like to focus on is Kobra’s most recent work, A mão de Deus (“The Hand of God”). It is known as his most autobiographical work. He recently lost his daughter and was also severely sick for months. He says that the mural was meant to depict God’s hand rescuing him. The mural depicts two arms grasping one another. One is underwater and the other is reaching from above the water to grip the arm underwater. The arm above water is checkered with vibrant colors, which is Kobra’s signature style. This pattern is seen on the skin of most figures in his works. The arm under water is a solid light blue.
Every Sunday, the highway that offers the best view of the mural is shut down, so that people can walk/run underneath it and admire it. People interpret it to mean that you should always offer help to those who appear to be struggling. It doesn’t matter whether it is related to COVID-19 or just some other hardship in their life, it is always best to offer help to someone in need. People also see it as a sign that you are never alone. There are always people who will pull you back to the surface. It is a depiction of generosity, but also strength. The ability to offer the help as well as be vulnerable enough to accept the help. That is the unity that shines through this mural. It embodies the idea of being stronger together. Kobra says that it doesn’t matter how you interpret God. He is a man who has faith in lending a hand when someone appears to be in need and reaching out when he needs that help as well.
Comments
This mural is beautiful! I think that it's so cool that even art has a way to translate into language and is a form of communication. And I love the meaning behind this painting you have shared of "The Hand of God." Of it being also interpreted as helping someone in need.
The sheer size of these murals is almost fantastical! I love how the government has not ordered them to be removed and even shuts down the highway so people can appreciate such amazing work. This is even more surprising given Kobra has painted murals in defiance of higher authority.
This is such a beautiful mural!! I felt encouraged by the painting even before fully reading your post. I think it’s also really cool how the city shuts down its highway so that more people can admire the artwork. I’ve seen so many murals around Richmond, but not many of them are vertically drawn so this one’s interesting to see.
Hi Elspeth! Great post! I've always admired these artists, not only for their technique (it's really hard to create a painting of this size, their sense of distance and proportion is incredible) but also for the spirit they convey through their paintings. This painting is really exciting, especially the difference in color between the surface and the underwater hands.