Afrikanizm | Virgílio Pinheiro – Angolan Sculptor of Time and Identity

The Two Sides of the Gaze

€925,00

"Through his work, Virgílio explores wisdom, resilience, and solitude, offering a profound reflection on maturity and life's experiences."

MEET

Virgílio Pinheiro

Virgílio João Manuel Pinheiro (b. March 7, 1985, Luanda) is a renowned Angolan visual artist and sculptor celebrated for his evocative explorations of aging, identity, and time. A graduate of the Instituto Superior de Artes (ISART), he holds a degree in Visual and Plastic Arts, with specialized training in sculpture.

With a deep commitment to education and artistic development in Angola, Virgílio has been teaching Scenic Design at ISART since 2018 and coordinates the Visual and Plastic Expression course at CEART, mentoring a new generation of creatives.

At the core of his practice is the poetic investigation of aging—not as decay, but as a profound symbol of wisdom, solitude, and resilience. His works, often sculptural, invite introspection and respect for the passage of time and the layered experiences it brings.

Virgílio’s work has been exhibited in both solo and group shows, including a showcase at the V Scientific Conference of ISART, and his acclaimed project, The Poetic Foundations of Aging: Identity and Culture. He is a two-time Grand Prize winner of ENSA Arte, receiving the top award in 2019 for his sculpture Sagrada Esperança, and again in 2024 for Pietá Angolana.

Currently living and working in Luanda, Pinheiro continues to produce reflective and symbolically rich artworks that celebrate the dignity of the human journey.

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