Collectors Only

Joana Vasconcelos' Studio

WRITTEN BY:

Julia Flamingo

Following the visit to Joana Vasconcelos' exhibition at MAAT last January, this month we took our collectors for a visit to the artist's studio in Lisbon. It has nothing to do with the stereotype of a small place full of art materials, the typical image of a solitary creature that works, lives and succeeds alone. What Joana Vasconcelos has is an industry! 

We were guided by the former studio manager, Rui, who showed us every section of the studio, explained its functions and roles. It was particularly interesting for the collectors to understand that an artist studio can be very similar to any other business: there is a finance department, a communication department,  a logistics department and of course all the arts departments, which in this case are several: creation, drawing, sewing, technology, light, etc. Rui also showed us the massage room and the yoga room (!): at the core of the company is the well-being of the employees. 

As one of the biggest artists in Portugal, Joana works with a big team, and hires local artisans to bring their knowledge to her practice. As a business woman, Joana decided not to be represented by a gallery inside Portugal, which means her studio does direct sales for collectors in the country. The studio can work with large demands, big scale works, and several projects at the same time: nothing is impossible in Joana's world. 

More than to see how the artworks are done and the glowing universe of Joana Vasconcelos, our collectors could see the artist as an entrepreneur.

Go through Joana Vasconcelos's studio website to watch more videos and read other texts about her admirable creations.