Martinópolis, Brazil, 1978 \ lives and works in São Paulo
Lia D Castro’s artistic practice offers an approach to art that goes beyond her own paintings, texts, and installations. It encompasses the complexity of society and seeks to build more meaningful and inclusive narratives and lived experiences that have been overlooked in museums and art galleries.
For the past 10 years, Lia D Castro has worked as an educator, sex worker, transgender rights activist and gives antiracism and anti-transphobia lectures in art institutions, as well as in national and multinational companies. She also has interests in areas such as hate criminology, anthropology, behavioral psychology, and sociology.
Full of meanings and resonances, Lia D Castro’s paintings reflect on gender and race hierarchies, art history, transphobia, and biased notions of femininity, in works that invite the viewer to examine them closely. A powerful call to action, emphasizing the importance of representation and inclusivity.
In 2024, Lia D Castro presented two institutional solo exhibitions – at MASP, São Paulo, and at Museu Paranaense, in Curitiba. In January 2023 she had her first solo show “Reflected Complicity” at Galeria Jaqueline Martins, São Paulo – Brazil, and in April 2023 “Those who are worthy of being loved” at Galeria Jaqueline Martins, Brussels – Belgium, with a curatorial text by Mohamed Almusibli. She recently was part of group exhibitions including “Middle Gate III” curated by Philippe Van Cauteren in Geel, Belgium; “Hors de la nuit des normes, hors de l’énorme ennui” curated by Clement Raveu and Valentina d’Avenia at Palais de Tokyo, Paris; “Dos Brasis: Arte e Pensamento Negro” curated by Igor Simões at Sesc, São Paulo; “Art of Treasure Hunt – Women in Tuscany” organized by Luziah Hennessy among diverse locations such as Castello AMA, Castello di Brolio, Borgo San Felice, Colle Beretto, Villa Geggiano – Italy. In 2022 she presented the solo show “Axs Nossxs Filhxs” at Instituto Çare, São Paulo – Brazil, among others. Her work is part of private and institutional collections including S.M.A.K. Ghent among others.
