Paulo Cardoso
Paulo Cardoso – Artist Bio
Paulo Cardoso is a Portuguese painter, teacher, writer, and set designer. He was born in Lisbon in 1953. He studied Chemistry and also attended the National Conservatory and the Lisbon School of Fine Arts.
He has shown his paintings in 38 solo exhibitions in countries like Portugal, France, Brazil, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland. His most recent show was in 2023 at the National Palace of Ajuda, a historic royal site in Portugal.
Paulo has also joined over 30 group exhibitions in museums and cultural spaces, including events in Lisbon, Brussels, and Paris. Since 1978, his work has been featured in magazines, newspapers, and TV channels across Europe and Brazil, including the BBC and History Channel.
As a speaker and professor, Paulo has given more than 400 lectures. He often speaks to students and teachers at universities in Brazil, Portugal, and even New York.
He has published 52 books and worked as a set designer on plays and films, including a movie that won the top prize at the Locarno Film Festival.
His paintings are part of private and public collections, including museums and banks.
Paulo’s art has two main styles:
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Hyperrealism (1970–1986): Black and white drawings that show emotions through body language, created with charcoal and graphite.
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Cosmic Abstraction (1986–today): Colorful, emotional paintings inspired by Portuguese poets like Fernando Pessoa and Mário de Sá-Carneiro. He mixes his own paints to get special textures and effects.
Paulo sometimes returns to hyperrealism for peace and inner balance. His work blends technique, feeling, and a deep love for art and culture.
- 18/04/2025
