Artists

João Penalva

Press release

The Galerias Municipais present at the Pavilhão Branco the exhibition A Colecção Ormsson, presented by João Penalva. The reinstallation of the exhibition arises within the framework of a broad project of celebration and presentation of João Penalva's work, taking place throughout 2026 at the Galerias Municipais, Culturgest, and the Cinemateca Portuguesa in Lisbon, marking 50 years of the artist's activity in the visual arts. After an initial career in contemporary dance — during which he worked with companies including those of Pina Bausch (1973/74) and Gerhard Bohner (1975), and co-founded The Moon Dance Company with Jean Pomares (1976) — João Penalva settled in London that same year, where he lived and attended the Chelsea School of Art between 1976 and 1981. In 1997, at the Pavilhão Branco, the artist presented 'A Colecção Ormsson' for the first time — an exceptional moment in his career. Created in response to a commission from the Galerias Municipais, the exhibition brought together an imaginary collection of works by fictional artists, interweaving autobiography, fiction, and art history. Now, in 2026, Penalva revisits and reinstalls this singular body of work, reactivating its layered narratives within the same space where it was first shown.