Established in 2010 and consolidated in its present form in 2013, Underdogs works with a diversified roster of Portuguese and international artists connected with the urban inspired contemporary art universe, fostering the development of close relationships between creators, the public, and the city with the aim of promoting art as an everyday experience.
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In the heart of Itabira in Minais Gerais – Brazil, a city shaped by iron mining and poetry, Wasted Rita’s public art intervention Nem todos os morros vão dar ao céu (Not all hills lead to heaven) honours the resilience of its people. This powerful work reflects on the daily struggles of those who climb life’s steep paths in pursuit of survival, recognising that fulfilment often comes not from reaching the summit, but from the collective effort along the way.
Created for the MAPA public art festival in October 2024, and supported by DGArtes, this striking neon light installation marked the first time Wasted Rita incorporated words in Portuguese into her work. A luminous celebration of the strength, unity, and enduring hope of Itabira’s community, paying tribute to its indomitable spirit.
