MACAM inaugurates a new dimension of the concept The House of Private Collections by presenting, for the first time, a guest private collection developed by José Carlos Santana Pinto. As a discerning collector, he has built a singular body of artworks in which conceptual reflection prevails, alongside a particular attention to formal economy and an intense relationship between word, number, and critical thought.

The contemporary artworks now brought together at MACAM reveal different facets of this collection, marked by the coexistence of Portuguese and international artists, by the search for visual and conceptual dialogues across multiple media that transcend generational boundaries. True to his vision, the collector understands art as a space of questioning — “the beautiful must ask questions” — thus granting the selected works a force that is as much aesthetic as it is reflective.

With this exhibition, the Museum opens the way to a cycle of collaborations that, alongside the Armando Martins collection, aims to give visibility to other private collections that do not have a public display space, thereby expanding the sharing of artistic heritage with the community.

Biographical note - José Carlos Santana Pinto

A collector for over 40 years, whose profession led him to travel extensively. He has lived in several cities, including Paris, as well as others outside Europe — a circumstance that enabled him to visit museums, art galleries, biennials, and art fairs frequently. For several years, he has been a member of the Honorary Committee of ARCOlisboa.