Joana Vasconcelos Unveils Zodiac-Inspired Serigraph Collection in Lisbon
The artist presents new graphic works at the Centro Português de Serigrafia.
1New Zodiac Collection
Artist Joana Vasconcelos is launching a new collection of serigraphs titled Signos 311. The exhibition opens on November 12 at the Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon. Organized by the Centro Português de Serigrafia, the show features five of the twelve zodiac signs, with the remaining seven scheduled for release in 2027.
2Personal Artistic Tribute
The collection title pays homage to the artist's father, photographer Luís Vasconcelos. He was a member of the Centro Português de Serigrafia, holding the membership number 311. This connection adds a deeply personal and affective layer to the project, bridging the artist's professional career with her family history and early artistic influences.
3Visual Language and Themes
The serigraphs translate Vasconcelos’s sculptural language into a two-dimensional format. The works utilize sinuous lines, curves, and vibrant colors to invite abstraction and imagination. Through these compositions, the artist explores astrology as a tool for self-reflection, linking individual consciousness to the symbolic transition into the transformative Age of Aquarius for society.
4Limited Edition Prints
Each of the five zodiac signs—Aquarius, Libra, Cancer, Leo, and Scorpio—is produced in a limited edition of 150 copies. The collection also includes a smaller format print titled Fénix, which has an edition of 200 copies. These works reflect the artist's ongoing commitment to high-quality graphic production and limited artistic series.
5International Exposure in Bilbao
Beyond the Lisbon exhibition, Vasconcelos will participate in the International Fair of Art on Paper in Bilbao, Spain, from November 26 to 29. Titled Out of Line, this showcase is organized in partnership with the Portuguese Embassy. It features eight medium-format works that highlight her lesser-known relationship with drawing and painting.
6Career and Artistic Evolution
With over three decades of experience, Joana Vasconcelos is known for recontextualizing everyday objects and traditional crafts. Her work often questions themes like consumer society, cultural identity, and the role of women. She gained significant international recognition in 2005 with her monumental chandelier piece, A Noiva, made from feminine hygiene products.
7Historical Institutional Presence
Vasconcelos has a history of breaking barriers in the art world. She was the first woman and the youngest artist to exhibit at the Palace of Versailles in France. Additionally, she represented Portugal at the Venice Biennale in 2013 and has showcased her work at major institutions like the Guggenheim Bilbao and Uffizi.
8Significance of the Project
This project underscores the artist's versatility across different media, from large-scale sculptures to delicate paper works. By integrating astrological themes with her signature visual style, Vasconcelos continues to engage with contemporary societal values. The collaboration with the Centro Português de Serigrafia highlights the importance of institutional partnerships in promoting Portuguese contemporary art.