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HÉLIO OITICICA

SEJA MARGINAL, SEJA HERÓI (BE AN OUTLAW, BE A HERO), 1967

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About the Artwork

A member of the Neo-Concrete group in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1950s, Helio Oiticica has come to be recognized as one of the key artistic figures of the postwar period. Be an Outlaw, Be a Hero was Oiticica’s contribution to Exhibition of the Flags, held in Rio in 1968. On the flag is the dead body of Manuel Moreira, known as Cara de Cavalo (“Horse Face”), a bandit from the shantytown of Mangueira in Rio. At the time of his death in 1966, Cara de Cavalo was considered a romantic fighter for the rights of the disempowered, and his assassination by the paramilitary group Esquadrao da Morte was a clear sign of the deteriorating political conditions in Brazil, where military rule had begun in 1964. Cara de Cavalo was also Oiticica’s friend and lover, and the flag is a deeply felt homage, both public and private, from one of the most radical artists of the second half of the twentieth century to an individual who represented a relentless and uncompromising search for freedom. Carlos Basualdo, from Philadelphia Museum of Art: Handbook. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2014, p. 373

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About Our Prints

Quality
Philadelphia Museum of Art Custom Prints offers exclusive custom reproductions of artworks in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Hand-made in the USA using gallery-quality materials, we create prints as true to the original work as possible, using strict color management protocols and state-of-the-art printing technology.
Selection
Many of the works offered through this store are exclusive and not available anywhere else. In addition, new works are continually added to the offering so make sure to come back and see the new releases.
Customization
You have found the work that speaks to you. Now what? Using our innovative custom framing tool you can preview exactly what your finished and framed art will look like. We offer many different moulding styles so there is sure to be a match for any type of decor.

Member Discounts

As always, members will receive their discount for all transactions processed through our Custom Prints store. Simply enter your Member ID during the checkout process and your discount will be applied.