João Penalva

Since the early 1990s, João Penalva has investigated the relationship between texts, objects and images. His works include found objects, photographs, moving images and narrative texts. The theme is representation. If the viewer is at first unsure of this it becomes increasingly clear as Penalva deploys a full arsenal of display, involving elegant photographs, slide projections, video and 16 mm film, lighting, subtitles, captions and historical notes, books and catalogues. A particular atmosphere pervades João Penalva’s works and presentations. The dry meticulousness of his presentations is tempered with curiosity and a hint of nostalgia. Their narratives center around family life and anecdote or personal, almost dream-like reflections
Penalva’s new work Men Asleep (2014) is a slide projection of found black and white photographs of men asleep. We are invited to sit down in the worn sofas and armchairs and watch as the slide projectors click and the pictures fade into each other. Scientific recordings of thunder form the soundtrack, creating a nocturnal, dream-like atmosphere. The men are pictured fondly, in some cases in friendly mockery, having fallen asleep at family gatherings or among friends. The photographs seem to have been taken in or some time around the 1950s. Without text, with only the suggestive atmosphere of their presentation, we are invited to contemplate and weave our own stories around what we see.
After a brief career as a dancer with Pina Bausch’s dance company in the late 1970s, João Penalva turned to visual art in the 1980s. His works have been shown at a number of institutions and international exhibitions including solo presentations at the São Paolo Biennial 1996 and the Venice Biennial 2001 and innumerable group shows from Melbourne to Helsinki. This year his work Men Asleep was included in the Parcours section of Art Basel. It is here given its first museum presentation. Penalva is visiting lecturer at Malmö Art Academy since 2002. He lives and works in London. This is his first solo exhibition in Norway.
Johan Börjesson, Director Trondheim kunstmuseum
TKM Bispegata September 20 2014 – January 18 2015