Cesare Simioni’s black-and-white photograph Soul Beneath the Paint won the Grand Winner title in the Black and White category at the Pure Street Photography Awards 2026, according to competition announcements. Captured during the Lambe-Sujo e Caboclinhos traditional street theater festival in the Brazilian state of Sergipe, the award-winning image features a young boy staring directly into the camera lens amid participants of the historic cultural celebration.
Documenting Brazil’s Quilombo Heritage Through Street Photography
Based in Brazil, Simioni photographed the boy during an annual demonstration that depicts the escape of enslaved people and the historic formation of quilombos, which are communities founded by escaped enslaved people and their descendants, according to competition records. The festival dramatizes regional history through distinct visual roles. Participants known as Lambe-Sujos paint their bodies black with sugarcane molasses and charcoal to represent Black quilombolas seeking freedom. Meanwhile, performers portraying Caboclinhos paint themselves red to signify Indigenous people historically recruited by plantation owners to recapture those who escaped.
Did you know?
The Pure Street Photography Awards were founded by award-winning photographers and curators Dimpy Bhalotia and Kamal Kumaar Rao to support global street photography initiatives, exhibitions, and grants.
Judge Evaluation and Technical Acclaim
Internationally acclaimed street photographer and competition judge Rui Palha praised Simioni’s composition in a public statement released by the organization. According to Palha, humanism serves as an essential characteristic of street photography, and Simioni’s image succeeds through strong black-and-white tones, careful composition, and precise light measurement.
“Indeed this is a great photograph,” Palha stated, describing it as an impressive image that commands recognition. The recognition follows Simioni’s recent success at an All About Photo Award, where the same portrait earned high honors before securing the top black-and-white prize in the Pure Street Photography competition.
Global Platform Growth and Recognition
The Pure Street Photography Awards operate as an international platform connecting more than 300,000 photographers and enthusiasts worldwide, according to platform data. Founded to champion both emerging and established artists, the organization offers exhibitions, grants, memberships, interviews, and educational programs aimed at long-term artistic development.
Pro Tip for Photographers:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pure Street Photography Awards?
The Pure Street Photography Awards is an international platform founded by Dimpy Bhalotia and Kamal Kumaar Rao dedicated exclusively to street photography, offering grants, awards, exhibitions, and educational initiatives for a global audience of over 300,000 photographers.
Where was the winning photograph taken?
The photograph was captured in the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe during the Lambe-Sujo e Caboclinhos festival, a traditional street theater event reflecting the history of enslaved people and quilombo communities.
What do the painted roles signify in the festival?
Performers known as Lambe-Sujos paint themselves black with sugarcane molasses and charcoal to represent escaped enslaved people, while Caboclinhos paint themselves red to represent Indigenous individuals historically recruited to pursue them.
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