Pedro Calapez
Integrating the generation that emerged in the 1980s, Pedro Calapez (Lisbon, 1953) is a central player in the updating of the Portuguese artistic field after the 25th of April. After attending Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon (1969-75), Calapez starts his artistic education, completing the Artistic Training Course at S.N.B.A, Lisbon (1972-75), and obtaining his Bachelor's Degree at the Lisbon School of Fine Arts (1976-81).
Calapez operates in a territory where painting and drawing converge. Taking materiality as an essential factor, the artist explores in his painting the texture - pasted, grooved - and the colour - intense and vibrant planes that interrelate, in a game that includes the approach to details that become autonomous. The commitment to architecture and landscape is expressed not only in the representation of space, but also in the assembly of three-dimensional exhibition, scenographic and installation devices that stimulate the spectator's relationship with the works.
Exhibiting since the mid 1970's, the artist presents his first solo exhibition in 1982. With Ana Léon, José Pedro Croft, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Rosa Carvalho, and Rui Sanches, Calapez participates in the remarkable exhibition Arquipélagos held at S.N.B.A between 1985 and 1986, where he presents two triptychs. In his fruitful career, stands out his participation in the Biennales of Venice, 1986 and of S. Paulo, 1987 and 1991. In 1992 he joined the collective 10 Contemporâneos, Fundação Serralves, Porto, which recognized a group of male artists. In the context of solo exhibitions, highlight goes to Memórias Involuntárias, Museu do Chiado, Lisbon, 1996; Obras Escolhidas, CAM, Lisbon (2004), and Pedro Calapez - O segredo da Sombra - Obras sobre papel, Carmona e Costa Foundation, Lisbon, 2016.
The artist also signs works in public spaces and was a member of the Cooperativa Diferença (1976-81), a scholarship holder of the Secretary of State for Culture in 1988 and integrated the direction of Ar.Co. - Centro de Artes e Comunicação Visual, Lisbon, where he coordinated the Departments of Painting and Drawing (1988-98). Of the various awards with which he was recognized, mention should be made of the 22nd International Graphic Prize Maximo Ramos 2012, Ferrol (2012); National Graphic Art Prize, Calcografia Nacional da Real Academia de Bellas Artes, Madrid; and AICA Prize (International Association of Art Critics - Portuguese section), both awarded in 2005; and the distinguished EDP Painting Prize, Lisbon, in 2001.
His work is also represented in several private collections, both in Portugal and abroad.
RS, setembro 2020
