An exhibition at the Centro Cultural Fiesp celebrating over 100 works from the MAM São Paulo Collection
Leda Catunda, MAM, 1998. MAM São Paulo Collection. Photo by: Romulo Fialdini
The Centro Cultural Fiesp Art Gallery in São Paulo is currently presenting the exhibition ‘MAM São Paulo: Where the Modern Meets the Contemporary’, an ambitious show organized in partnership with SESI-SP. Featuring more than 100 works from the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (MAM) collection, the exhibition explores the connections and tensions between two significant moments in the history of Brazilian art – modern and contemporary.
Curated by Cauê Alves and Gabriela Gotoda, the show brings together iconic names from Brazilian modernism, such as Tarsila do Amaral, Di Cavalcanti, Candido Portinari, Alfredo Volpi, and Victor Brecheret, alongside celebrated contemporary artists, including Mira Schendel, Leonilson, Carmela Gross, Tunga, and Cildo Meireles. International figures like León Ferrari, Raoul Dufy, Henry Moore, and Yves Klein are also on view, reflecting the diversity and global reach of the MAM collection.
A highlight of the show is the presentation of newly acquired works, many of which entered the collection through a significant donation in 2024. Among these is Vaso de Anêmona (1937), a delicate watercolour by French painter Raoul Dufy, which underwent a rigorous authentication process before being incorporated into the museum’s holdings. This inclusion marks a significant expansion of MAM’s representation of European modernism and adds new dimensions to the collection narrative.
In addition to celebrated works such as Tarsila do Amaral’s Paisagem (1948), Di Cavalcanti’s Peixe na praia (1933), and Brecheret’s Jaguar (1930), the exhibition places lesser-known yet pivotal artists in dialogue with more established figures. Artists such as José Antonio da Silva, Iracema Arditi, and Heitor dos Prazeres – often excluded from canonical definitions of modernism – are acknowledged for their contemporaneity and cultural contributions. Their presence expands the conventional boundaries of modern art and reflects the curators’ commitment to a more inclusive historical narrative.
As Cauê Alves, MAM’s Chief Curator, notes, “This is a highly significant assemblage of works, comprising both modernist and contemporary pieces, which enrich the museum’s collection and play a key role in the exhibition. It even includes works by European modernist artists who were previously unrepresented in MAM’s collection.”
Combining artworks from various generations, media, and contexts, ‘Where the Modern Meets the Contemporary’ reveals unexpected continuities and disruptions across time. It shows how specific themes, styles, and approaches resonate across the decades – sometimes evolving, sometimes reappearing in new forms.
The show also incorporates reflections from MAM’s Education department, addressing frequent public questions about the distinction between modern and contemporary art. “These concepts often seem synonymous and can be hard to distinguish,” says co-curator Gabriela Gotoda. “Often, one visits a contemporary art museum and finds modern artworks on display. The exhibition addresses common questions identified by the MAM Education team, giving the public greater autonomy in understanding art history.”
In doing so, the exhibition challenges visitors to reconsider linear notions of art history. Rather than presenting a rigid divide between modern and contemporary periods, it invites viewers to see them as fluid, overlapping, and historically interconnected. It asks: can we genuinely draw a clear boundary between the modern and the contemporary? Or are these terms better understood as part of an ongoing and evolving dialogue?
For SESI-SP, the exhibition reflects the institution’s commitment to cultural accessibility and artistic education. “One of SESI-SP’s core commitments is to contribute to society by promoting education and culture,” says Débora Viana, Executive Manager of Culture. “This partnership with MAM is a way of reinforcing that commitment – supporting the cultural and artistic landscape, cultivating new audiences for the arts, and expanding access to culture free of charge.”
Now open at the Centro Cultural Fiesp Art Gallery, ‘Where the Modern Meets the Contemporary’ offers a rare opportunity to engage with major works from the MAM São Paulo collection and to reflect on the dynamic evolution of Brazilian art. Through its wide-ranging selection, the exhibition reveals that the past and present are more connected than they may initially appear – and that art, no matter its historical moment, continues to shape the way we see the world.
The exhibition opened on the 26th of March and will be on view until the 8th of June 2025. For more information, please visit MAM São Paulo.
