Wark Rocinha

Feeling pretty down today with all the crappy news and the violence that we are unleashing on one another, so I'm trying to stay away from any news outlets and thinking happy thoughts today. Those thoughts usually include thinking about places I have traveled to and the really awesome people I have met along the way, which got me thinking about Wark.

Remember a few weeks ago I posted about 5 Brazilian artists whose names you should know? Well, one of those artists is Marcos Rodrigo aka Wark. He is the founder of Instituto Wark, a school for children in the favela of Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro. At Instituto Wark, they learn and practice art making. Wark and his students create public murals depicting the achievements of the residents of one of the most impoverished communities of Rio de Janeiro. 

Rocinha Favela, Rio de Janeiro
Photo by Katherine Gomez

I had the pleasure of meeting Wark, his wife, and adorable daughter in their very humble studio/home in the Rocinha Favela. His signature characters are depicted as angels. They are usually families with halos. Wark depicts these scenes primarily in his own impoverished and crime ridden community as a contradiction to what the rest of Rio believes and publicizes  about the residents of Rocinha. He wants the children of Rocinha to grow up to see themselves as those"angels" rather than as thugs. In the favela of Rocinha, there are enough bad role models for children, but wark is trying to change that. He wants to give them an opportunity for a better life by sharing his love of street art with them. Some of his students have gone on to be prominent street artists and teach classes to other students. 

One of the most striking things about Wark is that his work and talent is deserving of pursuing international fame, as other big names emerging from Brazil. Yet, he has no interest or desire in doing so. His fame and glory will come from saving as many kids from the grips of drugs, drug dealing, and crime through art as he can.

I shall concentrate on thinking about all the beautiful people who are committed to making the world a better place so my heart doesn't continue to ache.