João Penalva, 2026. Courtesy Culturgest © Raquel Montez
Galeria Francisco Fino warmly congratulates João Penalva on being awarded the EDP Foundation Art Grand Prize [Grande Prémio Fundação EDP Arte 2026], a distinction that recognises visual artists with an established career whose work has made a significant impact on Portuguese contemporary art.
Awarded by unanimous decision of the jury, the prize also includes a forthcoming retrospective exhibition and an accompanying catalogue, offering an extensive view of the artist’s practice.
In the words of the jury, Penalva’s work is marked by a “singular and non-linear trajectory, grounded in a deep engagement with research and experimentation across diverse materials and languages, as well as the ambitious projects he has developed and the consistent quality of his work.” This recognition reflects the artist’s sustained commitment to an exploratory practice, shaped by layered narratives and a distinctive approach to storytelling.
To discover more of João Penalva’s work, there is still time to visit his two solo exhibitions currently on view in Lisbon: Characters and Players at Culturgest and The Ormsson Collection, presented by João Penalva at Pavilhão Branco.
