Galeria Nuno Centeno is proud to announce that João Penalva won Grande Prémio Fundação EDP Arte 2026, last April.
An international jury presided over by Vera Pinto Pereira, Andrew Renton, François Quintin, Luisa Cunha, Luiz Camillo Osorio, João Pinharanda and Miguel Coutinho highlighted his unique, research-driven approach across multiple media, including painting, video, and installation. The decision underscored the EDP foundation’s commitment to recognizing sustained excellence and artistic innovation over time. The Galeria Nuno Centeno’s represented artist was awarded by his technical mastery and quality of his work, which often blurs the lines between reality and fiction – a career marked by ambitious projects and experimental depth.
João Penalva (b. in Lisbon, 1949) lived in London from 1976 to 2021 before returning to Lisbon. After an early career in contemporary dance he studied at the Chelsea School of Art. He represented Portugal at the 23rd Bienal de São Paulo, the 49th Venice Biennale and in the 2nd Berlin Biennale. His work has been featured in significant solo shows at prestigious institutions, including the Serralves Museum in Porto, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, Camden Arts Centre in London, and the Ludwig Museum in Budapest.
He is already represented in the Coleção de Arte Fundação EDP and took part in exhibitions produced both by Fundação EDP and MAAT, such as Quote Unquote – Entre Apropriação e Diálogo (2017) and T.D. Transmissão Direta da Torre do Relógio da Câmara Municipal do Porto (2015).
Meanwhile, João Penalva’s work continues to be displayed until the end of July at Pavilhão Branco – Galeria Municipal de Lisboa with A Colecção Ormsson and at Culturgest Lisboa, with the critically acclaimed exhibition Personagens e Intérpretes.
