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João Penalva

Born in 1949 (Lisbon, Portugal). Lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal.

Bio

Photo credits: David Sandison

Penalva began his dance studies in 1968 at the São Carlos National Theatre, which he continued at the London School of Contemporary Dance in London.

In the 1970s, he was a dancer with the companies of Pina Bausch in Wuppertal, Gerhard Bohner in Darmstadt, and Jean Pomares in Copenhagen.
He studied visual arts at the Chelsea School of Art in London from 1976 to 1981 (BA (Hons) and Master of Fine Arts). He taught at the Malmö Art Academy, Lund University, Sweden, from 2002 to 2024.
João Penalva’s first steps in the visual arts were focused on painting. From the 1990s onwards, film, photography, and installation became part of his means of expression.
His body of work uses text, image, and research as processes to connect theoretical and narrative approaches, fusing the real and the imaginary.
He represented Portugal at the São Paulo International Biennale in 1996 and the Venice Biennale in 2001. He exhibited at the Berlin Biennale in 2001 and at the Sydney Biennale in 2002. In 2026, Culturgest held a major solo exhibition dedicated to the artist, curated by Bruno Marchand. He was also honoured as the winner of the 2026 EDP Foundation Art Grand Prize that same year.

(Download CV)     (Download Portfolio)

Artworks

Exhibitions

João Penalva

13 June – 31 July, 2026
See Exhibition

News

Galeria Nuno Centeno is included in ‘Circuitos’26’ itinerary

17 July – 18 July, 2026
Galeria Nuno Centeno is involved in this initiative for the third consecutive time
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Up next at Galeria Nuno Centeno (June 2026)

13 June – 31 July, 2026
João Penalva is presenting a self-titled exhibition at Galeria Nuno Centeno
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João Penalva presents ‘Uma Obra em Seis Partes’ across six venues in Lisbon

2 June- 28 June, 2026
With ‘Um Puzzle Familiar’, audiences must collect six pieces to assemble the artist’s puzzle
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Visit us at ARCOlisboa 2026

30 May – 31 May, 2026
Galeria Nuno Centeno will be displaying at booth C03, until Sunday (May 31st)
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Galeria Nuno Centeno at ARCOlisboa 2026

28 May – 31 May, 2026
Galeria Nuno Centeno will be at booth C03 showing João Penalva, José Pedro Croft, Maria Capelo and João Penalva
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João Penalva wins ‘Grande Prémio Fundação EDP Arte 2026’

20 May, 2026
The distinction includes a monetary prize, a retrospective exhibition, and the publication of a catalog
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João Penalva presents ‘Personagens e Intérpretes’ at Culturgest

18 April – 12 July, 2026
A retrospective of Penalva’s fifty-year career
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