Lisbon is currently bathed in a different kind of light—or rather, a very specific kind of shadow. The Sociedade Nacional de Belas-Artes (SNBA) has opened its doors to a profound evocative journey through the life and work of Lourdes Castro (1930–2022). More than just a retrospective, the exhibition, titled Lourdes Castro: Existe Luz na Sombra (There is Light in the Shadow), serves as a sanctuary for the memory of one of Portugal’s most singular creative voices.
The Materiality of the Immaterial
Lourdes Castro spent decades exploring the "universo das sombras" (the universe of shadows). While she is globally recognized for her plexiglass silhouettes and "theatre of shadows," this new showcase provides a deeper, more personal context. It brings together not only finished artworks but also personal objects and documents that have remained out of the public eye until now.
These unpublished pieces offer a rare glimpse into Castro's process—how she transitioned from the vibrant experimental years in Paris to the quiet, botanical contemplation of her later years in Madeira.
A Vision Curated by Márcia de Sousa
The exhibition is the result of a significant institutional partnership led by MUDAS. Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira, under the meticulous curatorship of Márcia de Sousa. Having previously curated the 2022-2023 tribute to Castro in Madeira, De Sousa brings a deep understanding of the artist's "doing a lot with very little" philosophy to the capital.
By collaborating with the Arquipélago – Centro de Artes Contemporâneas (Azores) and the SNBA, the project bridges the Atlantic, connecting the artist’s island roots with the urban center where she left an indelible mark.
Why It Matters Now
Since her passing in 2022, the art world has been eager to fully catalog and appreciate the depth of Castro's archive. By including "inéditos" (unseen works), this exhibition ensures that our understanding of her work remains dynamic rather than static. It reminds us that a shadow is not just a lack of light, but a presence of its own—a silhouette of a life lived with extraordinary sensitivity.
A MUDAS.Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira Production
