Fundação MEO opened the exhibition “Enduring as a Paradox: Works from the Fundação MEOContemporary Art Collection” today, presenting to the public a selection of rarely exhibited works from its Contemporary Art Collection. Featuring 18 artists and works created since the 1980s, the exhibition fosters dialogue among different generations of Portuguese contemporary art and reinforces the Fundação MEO ’s commitment to a more accessible, participatory, and inclusive culture.
Curated by Afonso A. Castro of the Institute of Art History at NOVA FCSH, the exhibition revisits different sections of the Contemporary Art Collection of the Fundação MEO, bringing widely recognized works into dialogue with others that have remained less visible over the years, including pieces on display for the first time.
Among the artists represented are Pedro Cabrita Reis, Eduardo Batarda, Eduardo Nery, Alexandre Estrela, Joana Rosa, Pedro Casqueiro, Pedro Proença, and Maria Tomás, together forming a journey that spans different generations, sensibilities, and artistic languages of contemporary art.
From photography to video, from drawing to painting and installation, the selection explores themes such as perception, matter, energy, and transformation, reflecting the relationship between communication, technology, and artistic creation that has defined the collection’s identity since its inception.
An artistic experience accessible to everyone
Designed to be enjoyed by a diverse audience, the exhibition features a range of accessibility resources that promote broader and more inclusive participation. All works include supporting content in Portuguese and English, as well as audio description, captions, and content in Portuguese Sign Language.
This approach enables different audiences—including children, people who are blind, and people who are deaf—to access, understand, and explore the works independently, reinforcing the Fundação MEO ’s commitment to democratizing access to culture and eliminating barriers to cultural participation.
“Art should be a truly accessible experience, capable of building bridges between people, languages, sensibilities, and different ways of seeing and understanding the world. In this exhibition, we wanted inclusion to be present from the very beginning, incorporating resources that allow audiences with different needs and backgrounds not only to discover, but also to interpret and experience the works independently and meaningfully. This is also a concrete expression of how, at the “ Fundação MEO ,” we believe that technology can serve people, fostering connection, participation, and a more open, shared, and inclusive culture,” says Madalena Albuquerque, Director of the “ Fundação MEO.”
A collection that's nearly 30 years old
Established in 1997, while still part of Portugal Telecom, the Fundação MEO Contemporary Art Collection was created with the goal of supporting Portuguese artistic creation and building a cultural heritage accessible to the community.
It currently houses 176 works by 90 artists, most of whom are Portuguese, spanning disciplines such as painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video, printmaking, and technological art, and serves as an important testament to the evolution of contemporary art in Portugal over the past few decades.
By simultaneously promoting artistic creation, technological innovation, and cultural accessibility, the “ Fundação MEO ” reinforces its commitment to bringing culture to all audiences and contributing to a more inclusive society.
The exhibition “Enduring as a Paradox: Works from the Fundação MEOContemporary Art Collection” is open to the public free of charge through November 13, 2026, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Espaço Fundação MEO, located at the Fórum Picoas in Lisbon.