Lygia Clark

Lygia Clark (1920–1988) was one of the leading representatives of Brazilian “Neoconcretismo”. With her approach of viewing art as a participative, sensual and even curative experience, she became one of the movement’s pioneering artists in the second half of the 20^th century. Clark’s work shared close ties to European modernism, though she tried to emancipate herself from it. In co-operation with the Associação Cultural Lygia Clark in Rio de Janeiro, Lygia Clark's work will be presented comprehensively for the first time in Germany as part of a major retrospective at the Neue Nationalgalerie. 

Lygia Clark shifted away from painting early in her career in favour of experimenting with small, kinetic sculptures. She later developed objects which could be worn like clothing and were intended to expand perception. Clark’s works, which also include a performance where the participants eat fruit together, stimulate all the senses and aim to create a community-building, subjective and sensual artistic experience. Near the end of her career, Clark even developed her own therapy sessions to overcome inner blockades. The recipients became her clients.

To fully experience Lygia Clark’s participative, dialogical approach, the visitors are invited to interact with the artworks on display and take part in workshops, group performances and Clark’s “therapy sessions”.
 

Artistic director: Klaus Biesenbach
Curators: Maike Steinkamp, Irina Hiebert Grun
Artist: Lygia Clark

Exhibition: Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin: March – September 2025