João Penalva

Between 1968 and 1976, João Penalva developed his art activity in the area of dance, studying between Paris, Lisbon and London. During these eight years, he was part of the German companies of Pina Bausch (1940-2009) and Gerhard Bohner (1936-1992) and founded The Moon Dance Co...

Between 1968 and 1976, João Penalva developed his art activity in the area of dance, studying between Paris, Lisbon and London. During these eight years, he was part of the German companies of Pina Bausch (1940-2009) and Gerhard Bohner (1936-1992) and founded The Moon Dance Company with Jean Pomares in Copenhagen in 1975. He settled in London in 1976, starting his path in the visual arts after his admission to the renowned Chelsea School of Art. The 1980s were marked by exhibitions in the UK and Portugal.
João Penalva has adopted, since these early days, a stance aligned with politicising "the shape and not only the content of his works, the technique and not the theme" . This importance given to the process and to the creative freedom that values the everyday is in tune with the thought of John Cage (USA, 1912-1992) and Merce Cunningham (USA, 1919-2009).