Artur Barrio Portuguese-Brazilian, b. 1945

Born in Portugal in 1945 and later moving to Brazil, Artur Barrio has been a leading voice in the Brazilian avant-garde movement since the late 1960s. His use of organic and ephemeral materials, along with performative actions in public spaces, challenges traditional art forms and invites viewers to engage with art in profound ways, seeking the physical participation of the spectator. Barrio's "Situações" (Situations), characterized by their raw and visceral use of organic materials in urban environments, remain a powerful commentary on social and political issues.

Recipient of the Premio Velázquez for Visual Arts in 2011, Barrio has presented his solo work at Documenta 11 (2002), the 54th Venice Biennale (Brazilian Pavilion, 2011), and, recently, at major retrospectives at the Reina Sofia (Experiencias y Situaciones, 2018) and the Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães (Interminável, 2023). His work is also part of the collections of MoMA and the Centre Pompidou, among others.