Mário Macilau
Mário Macilau is a multidisciplinary artist and activist, best known for his work as a photographer. He was born in 1984 in the Mozambican capital and currently lives between Lisbon and Maputo.
In 2003, Macilau began his photographic activity, spending his early career learning and developing his techniques.
In 2007, he launched himself as a professional photographer, swapping his mother's mobile phone, without her knowledge, for an excellent Nikon FM2. A few years later his talent crossed borders and he has won several major international awards, travelled widely and seen his work published in some of the most prestigious galleries, art fairs and exhibitions around the world.
His photography highlights identity, political issues and environmental conditions, sometimes working with socially isolated groups to make his audience aware not only of the many social injustices and inequalities in the world but also to show stories of humanity, brotherhood, victory, love and hope. Often the portrait is his starting point, his approach being instrumental in revealing a broader perspective.
Macilau's work has been a regular presence in solo and group exhibitions, both in his home country and abroad.
Examples include the Art Fair 1: 54 in London, UK (2018); Art Madrid in Madrid, Spain (2018 and 2019); Art Marbella,Spain (2018); Third Beijing Biennale of Photography, Beijing, China (2018); Unseen, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2018); FNB Art Fair Johannesburg, South Africa (2018); the World Climate Summit, San Francisco, USA (2018); the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (2018); IPhoton Festival, Valencia, Spain (2017); Photomonth Festival Krakow, Krakow, Poland (2017); the Indian Festival of Photography - IPF (2017); Hyderabad, India (2017); Berlin Art Week at Kehrer Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2017); Sicily Photobook Festival, Sicily, Italy (2017); Porto Photography Festival, Porto, Portugal (2017); "I don't like Black People but I do like you", Paulo Nunes Gallery, Portugal (2017); Tbilisi Photography Festival, Tbilisi, Georgia (2017); AKAA Art Fair,Paris, France (2016). Macilau was also selected by Fotofestiwal of Łódź, Poland,to present his first monograph, "Growing in Darkness", in a monumental self-name exhibition as part of the festival entitled "Discovery Show" (2015). Other noteworthy exhibitions in his own name include: the photographer's participation in the56th. the Venice Biennale, Italy (2015), "The Road Not Taken" at The Auction Room, London (2015); "Nothing Like Time", curated by Berry Bickle, at Kulungwana Gallery in Maputo(2015); ENTRY PROHIBITED TO FOREIGNERS, Havremagasinet - Boden Art Centre, Sweden (2015); The Pangaea: New Art from Africa and Latin America, Saatchi Gallery,London, UK (2014); Fotofest Biennial, Houston, Texas, USA (2014); among many others. His work is present in many private and public collections around the world.
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