Ateliê 397

Ateliê397: A Space of Innovation and Resilience in Brazilian Contemporary Art

Co-founded in 2003 in São Paulo by Bruna Battistini (then known as Bruna Costa), Silvia Jabalí, and Rafael Campos Rocha, Ateliê397 began as a network of personal studios on Rua Wizard 397 in Vila Madalena. Connecting their studios through a shared corridor, the founders transformed the space into an experimental hub for dialogue, collaboration, and an alternative approach to the local art scene.

Between 2003 and 2005, Bruna Battistini co-curated, alongside Silvia Jabalí and Rafael Campos Rocha, several notable exhibitions at Ateliê397, including:

• Horizontes de Eventos by Wagner Malta Tavares

• Vôo by Vanderlei Lopes

• Miolo de Quadra by Tatiana Ferraz

• Sonho Meu by Hélio Melo, Clark Ferguson, and James Prior

• Atavio by Tatiana Blass

• Cerca by Ana Paula Oliveira

• Sonho by Fabiana Queirolo

• Peso Líquido by Patricia Pisanelli

Under the later guidance of curator Thais Rivite, Ateliê397 relocated while maintaining its original spirit, continuing to serve as a vibrant platform for artistic experimentation. The space remains a living organism, fostering emerging and established artists alike, and asserting its important role in shaping contemporary art not only in São Paulo but throughout Brazil.