Brazil in Focus

Avenida Paulista by Juca Martins

Juca Martins has been shooting Avenida Paulista almost since he began taking pictures, 45 years ago. Born in Portugal, he moved to Brazil with his family at age 7. He taught himself photography and hasn't put the camera down since, picking up scores of awards over the years, including the coveted Esso Prize and the Vladimir Herzog Prize for human rights. The city of São Paulo has been a constant backdrop and a protagonist for his work. Again and again, he has come back to Avenida Paulista. For decades, this broad boulevard traversing the spine of the city was a symbol of financial wealth and power. So it's no surprise that it also became a stage for dissent, social statements, street theater and a garden variety of merriment. Carnival goers revel up and down its 2.8 kilometer length. Gays and lesbians and their supporters stage their annual parade there. Homeless kids find shelter and occasionally trouble with the police on the Avenida. Office workers practice yoga there during their lunch hour. "All the major Brazilian issues are on display on Avenida Paulista," says Juca. Here, Brazil in Focus takes a look through his lens.

For more on Juca's work, visit www.olharimagem.com