The effervescent international art scene undoubtedly passes through Portugal, and in a striking way. Visiting the country is an impeccable opportunity to get to know artists and works that have emerged from the underground into the most notable galleries and museums.
Names like Vhils, Bordalo II or Joana Vasconcelos are solid and recognized figures in the world of art. And they are everywhere in the country, whether in the street art they cultivate or with their pieces and installations in the main institutions. Discovering them is easy: for example, hopping into a tuk tuk in Porto and enjoying the city walls, on an itinerary that reveals authentic open-air canvases, or even combining the same kind of exploration in Lisbon with a trip to one of Europe’s most important collections, the MAC/CCB Museum of Contemporary Art, in the Belém district.
But that’s not all. Art unfolds in many mediums, and Lisbon also offers an endless array of traditional and contemporary talents in the field of the most luxurious artifacts. From the goldsmiths’ workshop of the former Portuguese royal house to the excellence of Vista Alegre porcelain, from modern ceramists like Anna Westerlund to the masters of Ulisses glove-makers, there is much to fall in love with in the historic streets of the Portuguese capital, all of this blending into a cultural shopping tour, if you wish.
Everything is buzzing in the Portuguese art scene – and these are artists who also know how to highlight today’s most important issues in stunning works. Get to know them better and start your discovery.
© Alexander Silva
Vhils
Alexandre Farto (1987), better known as Vhils, is a street artist who has achieved international recognition for his unique style of sculpting portraits on walls, transforming normal urban experiences in a deep sense. He has displayed his work in galleries and museums around the world, including the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art and the EDP Foundation in Lisbon.
© Lionel Balteiro
Joana Vasconcelos
Born in 1971, Vasconcelos is an internationally renowned Portuguese artist known for her large-scale, provocative and often humorous installations using everyday objects such as kitchen utensils, household appliances and toys. Her works challenge traditional notions of art and femininity, often incorporating female symbols and subverting their traditional roles.
© Martha Cooper
Bordalo II
Also a street artist, and self-styled artivist, Artur Bordalo (1987), under the signature Bordalo II, is known for his large installations and murals made from recycled garbage, which emphasize overconsumption in today’s world. His works tend to be large-scale animal sculptures. His art is a powerful statement about the need for environmental conservation and sustainability.
