Ernesto Neto

Ernesto Neto was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1964, where he lives and works.  

One of the most influential contemporary artists from Brazil, Ernesto Neto’s practice is shaped by the legacies of Brazilian Neo-Concrete art, Minimalism, Conceptual art, and Arte Povera. Spirituality, humanism, and ecology are central to his work, which since the early 1990s has been characterized by the use of unconventional materials and organic, biomorphic forms. Material qualities and transparency often play an important role in his sculptures and installations, which invite viewers to engage with the work through touch, movement, and exploration. By engaging multiple senses, including smell, Neto creates immersive environments that encourage contemplation and interaction.  

During his residency at Atelier Calder, Neto moved away from his usual use of soft and organic materials to work with more solid elements, including foam board, colored laminated wood, polyurethane foam, PVC, and steel. This process resulted in a new series of sculptures titled Play (2007), in which interlocking, gear-like forms appear to rise from the ground and transform into sculptural structures. Through these works, Neto explored questions of balance, tension, and gravity, creating forms that exist between stability and movement.