Julião Sarmento

Julião Sarmento (1948–2021) was a prominent Portuguese artist who specialized in painting, sculpture, installations, and works on paper. He was born in Lisbon and studied at the Lisbon School of Fine Arts and the Porto School of Fine Arts. During his artistic career, Sarmento developed a style characterized by the exploration of themes such as sexuality, power, identity, and communication. He used a variety of techniques and materials to create works that questioned the way reality is perceived. Among Sarmento's most notable works are his figurative paintings and drawings, which feature often androgynous and featureless human figures. These images are presented in minimalist, unadorned settings, accentuating the sense of discomfort they produce. Sarmento also created sculptures and installations that were noted for their ability to engage the viewer in the space. His works on paper include prints, photogravures, silkscreens, and lithographs, and they showcase some of his most recurrent themes, such as sexuality and power. Throughout his career, Sarmento received numerous awards and recognition for his work, and his works have been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world. Some of his most notable solo exhibitions include "Julião Sarmento: Fictions and Reality" at the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) and "Julião Sarmento: Retrospective" at the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga. Julião Sarmento passed away in 2021, leaving behind an important legacy in the world of contemporary art, particularly in his exploration of innovative themes and techniques that continue to inspire future generations of artists.