Lygia Pape, one of Brazil’s most influential artists, known for her pioneering work in the Concrete and Neo-Concrete art movements, is now represented by Mendes Wood DM. This partnership aims to bring her groundbreaking art to a global audience. The gallery, which operates in São Paulo, Brussels, Paris, and New York, will showcase a career-spanning exhibition of Pape’s work in São Paulo in April 2026. This coincides with the SP-Arte fair and the artist’s centenary, marking an important moment to reflect on her legacy.
Pape’s work in the 1950s and 60s, especially her involvement in the Neo-Concrete movement with Lygia Clark, Hélio Oiticica, and others, was revolutionary in rejecting the rigidity of the earlier Concrete movement. This radical shift emphasized sensory and organic art, which encouraged greater viewer interaction. One of her signature works, Livro da Criação (Book of Creation), invited participation by transforming the book into a three-dimensional experience—showcasing her vision of art as an interactive and evolving process.
Pape’s journey through the tumultuous years of Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964-85) also reflects her commitment to political engagement through art. She created subtle works that conveyed resistance and questioned societal norms without overtly defying the regime. Pedro Mendes, co-founder of Mendes Wood DM, highlights the profound political, aesthetic, and innovative qualities of her work, noting that Pape’s contributions to Brazilian art continue to inspire contemporary artists.
Pape’s legacy has already been celebrated in exhibitions such as Tisser l’espace (Weaving Space) at the Pinault Collection in Paris and solo shows at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her monumental installations like Ttéia 1, C have been featured in renowned collections worldwide, including MoMA, Tate, and Centre Pompidou.
As Mendes Wood DM brings Pape’s work into the international spotlight, the 2026 São Paulo exhibition will be an important event in the global art calendar. This exhibition, alongside the upcoming Art Basel in Paris, underscores Pape’s lasting influence in the art world.
