Hugo Brazão (b. 1989, Madeira) is a Lisbon-based visual artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture and textile-based installation. His work explores the intersection between fiction and reality, often unfolding as immersive spatial compositions that challenge linear narratives and propose alternative temporalities. Using materials such as textiles, wood, pigment and found objects, Brazão constructs vibrant, layered environments that blur the boundaires between drawing, object and space.
Storytelling, play and the aesthetics of displacement are central to his work. Humor, color, and distortion function as tools of both disruption and care - strategies through which he reimagines how bodies, identities, and spaces relate.
Whether through sculptural fragments or full-room installations, his practice offers portals into speculative, sometimes absurd worlds that invite both contemplation and disorientations.
Contact: hfbrazao@gmail.com
CV
EDUCATION
2015 MA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UK)
2013 BA Painting, Faculdade de Belas Artes, Universidade de Lisboa (PT)
AWARDS
2024 Programa de apoio a projetos - DGartes/Républica Portuguesa
2020 Apoio às Artes visuais - Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian
2018 VIA Arts Prize (winner) (UK)
2017 Arte Laguna Art Prize (Shortlisted) (IT)
2015 The Helen Scott Lidgett Studio Award, Acme Residency & Awards Programme (winner) (UK)
SOLO and TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2025 Loafhead, ODD KIN, East Providence (USA)
2025 Happily Ever After, Balcony Gallery, Lisbon (PT)
2023 Toad on the moon, Galeria da Casa Molder, Lisbon (PT)
2023 Snake in a cookie jar, Voda Gallery, Seoul (KR)
2023 Forrado, with Ana Vidigal, Centro Cultural Quinta Magnólia, Funchal (PT) 2022 What's for dinner?, Balcony Gallery, Lisbon (PT)
2022 What's for dinner?, Balcony Gallery, Lisbon (PT)
2021 Before hooves grow, Capela da Boa Viagem, Funchal, Madeira (PT)
2021 Cat did it!, Commonage, Curated by Seamus McCormack, London, (UK)
2020 Out of sight, out of mind, Balcony Gallery, Lisbon (PT)
2019 Best foot Backward, Curated by Luís Manuel Araújo, Embassy of Brazil, London (UK)
2019 O' mice an' men, Galeria Diferença, Lisbon (PT)
2019 TAKE TEN, Las Palmas Project Space, Lisbon (PT)
2017 TO FILL IN A GAP, TO PLUG IN A HOLE OR HOW TO POSTPONE AN IMMINENT PROBLEM, MUDAS, Contemporary Art Museum of Madeira and Galeria dos Prazeres (PT)
2012 HUGO BRAZÃO and CRISTIANA SOUSA, Galeria Monumental (PT)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Reunion 01, Parri Blank Gallery, Stuttgart (DE)
2023 ´TAKING THE LIGHT OUT OF THE PRISM´, Curated by Susana Rocha, Duplex Air, Lisboa (PT)
2023 Prespectiva 24, Bienal de Cerveira, Vila Nova de Cerveira (PT)
2023 AQUISIÇÕES 2021-20222, Torreão Nascente da Cordoaria Nacional / Galerias Municipais | Lisbon (PT)
2023 O encantado só anda no horário da maré, project by Tiago Alexandre, powered by Balcony Gallery, Penha de França, Portugal
2023 Uma terna (e política) contemplação do que vive, Col. Norlinda and José Lima, Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes, Lisboa, Portugal
2023 Artistas plásticos - Lojas com história, EGEAC, Padaria São Roque, Lisboa
2023 pedra, papel, tesoura, Alfaia, Loulé (PT)
2022 De peau a peau, Museé D'art Roger Quillot, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
2021 Pintura: Campo de observação Parte II, Curated by João Pinharanda, Cristina Guerra Contemporary Art, Lisbon (PT)
2021 Peninsulares, Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, Madrid (ES)
2021 Na margem da paisagem vem o mundo, Pavilhão Branco, Lisboa (PT)
2021 Apofenia, Curated by Bruno Marchand, Culturgest, Porto (PT)
2020 Apofenia, Curated by Bruno Marchand, Fidelidade Arte, Lisbon (PT)
2020 It Remained To Be Seen, Curated by Julia Gros, PADA Studios, Barreiro (PT)
2020 Let us Flop, Duplex Air, Lisbon (PT)
2019 PARALLEL VIENNA, Vienna (AT)
2019 Ilhéstico, Curated by Miguel Von Hafe Pérez, Porta 33, Funchal (PT)
2019 An Exhibition On One Hand, Kingsgate Project Space, London (UK)
2019 Take a seat, Biggin Hall, Dover (UK)
2018 Contextile 2018, Contemporary Textile Art Biennial, Guimarães (PT)
2017 Arte Laguna Group Show, Arsenale di Venezia (IT)
2016 Wherewithal, PEER Gallery, London (UK)
2016 Magical Offspring, Geddes Gallery (UK)
2016 Brunswick Art's Event, British Museum (UK)
2016 We Are Always Several at Once, Safehouse Peckham (UK)
2015 Granfalloon, MA Fine Art Degree Show (UK) 2014 Tomorrow Today, OXO Tower (UK)
2013 Art Pendeo, Visual Collective Space (UK) 2012 À Sombra de Plínio, FBAUL Gallery Space (PT)
RESIDENCIES
2023 Guardiões do Mira, curated by Filipa Oliveira and Leonor Carrilho
2022 D'Ennery Quilting manufactures/Museé D'art Roger Quillot, Le Puy-en- Velay/Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
2022 Blank100, Craveiral (PT)
2020 Arnis Residency, Schleswig-Flensburg (DE)
2020 Rat Trap, G39, Cardiff (UK)
2020 Hangar, Centro de investigação artística, Lisbon (PT)
2018 StokkøyArt Residency, Stokkøya, Trøndelag (NO)
2017 Galeria dos Prazeres, Madeira (PT)
2016 Warton House Studios, ACME Residency and Awards Programme, London (UK)
2011 Imperial Academy of Fine Arts, Saint Petersburg (RU)
COLLECTIONS
Câmara Municipal de Lisboa - EGEAC
Colecção José Lima
Coleção Fundação EDP
Coleção do MUDAS – Museu de Arte Contemporanea da Madeira
Coleçao do Governo Regional da Madeira
Private collections
PUBLIC ARTWORKS
2018 Finding Kjolna, Stokkoya, Trondelag (NO)
2015 Mural painting in Clapton, London (UK)
2013 Mural painting in Ribeira Seca, Machico (PT)
2012 Mural painting in Funchal (PT)
PRESS/PUBLICATIONS/CATALOGUES
2024 Umbigo Magazine #91 "Desaparecimento"
2023 Toad on the moon, written by Carla Carbone, Umbigo Magazine (PT)
2022 Hugo Brazão Reflecte sobre a busca do prazer, written by Luísa Soares de Oliveira, Público/Ipsilon (PT)
2019 Cartaz: Take Ten, de Hugo Brazao, Umbigo Magazine (PT)
2019. Story Behind the Artwork : Hugo Brazão – May improve mood, Art verge (UK) 2018 Emerging Central St. Martins trained Portuguese artist Hugo Brazao wins VIA Arts Prize 2018, FAD Magazine (UK)
2017 The battle to keep artists in the capital, Financial Times Magazine (UK)
2017 Arte Laguna 2017, Exhibition Catalogue (IT)
2016 Our Favourite Artworks at CSM’s Silent Auction, SLEEK Magazine (UK)
2016 Rocks on Holidays, PEER Gallery (self publication) (UK)