Plácido “Pocho” Guimaraes (b. Malabo, Equatorial Guinea) carries on the tradition of Equatorial Guinean textile craft practice, which has been passed down from generation to generation in local communities and Bubi culture. Using dance, symbols, and experiences to enrich his current works, he contemporizes these traditions, reconnecting with his cultural and family roots. Guimaraes is a disciple of Josep Grau-Garriga and uses the high heddle technique rather than traditional looms. The unusual materials he incorporates into his work are fabrics of African origin; old newspapers and waste materials, as well as objects found in the cities and natural environments around Malabo and Madrid. These found residual elements carry personal or family meanings, with each of the works he produces referring to a specific theme and reality of his immediate environment: his political dissent, family customs, and rituals. Touch and the tactile nature of his work are highly important elements to help narrate the personal stories of Bubi culture, so relevant to his history.

Equatorial Guinea achieved independence from Spain in 1968 when Guimaraes was 17 years old. His grandfather, Francisco Malabo, recognised as the last Bubi king, was in charge of his education until he was 10 when he was admitted to the La Salle school in Malabo. There, he was tutored by Teodoro Obiang Nguema (now President of Equatorial Guinea). The events and the political figures involved in the independence and the dictatorship of Macías Nguema (former President of Equatorial Guinea), marked his life politically. The persecution by Nguema directly implicated Guimaraes, whose Father was imprisoned, tortured, and killed by the regime in 1971. Guimaraes sees his country submerged under the current dictatorship of President Obiang, whose rule is considered one of the most repressive in the world. Wanting to escape from these inequalities encountered in his home country, he has been largely self-exiled in Spain since he was 19 years old.

His political and cultural concerns led him to Kyiv in 1975, where he studied Urban Planning. Upon returning to Spain, he studied Fine Arts in Valencia, exploring many visual languages and collaborations in the world of dance, theatre, and cinema. Pocho Guimaraes has been participating in exhibitions since 1984 and currently resides in Spain, though had returned to Equatorial Guinea in 2005, where he lived on the island of Bioko until 2019, undergoing the traditional ceremonies that he was unable to perform due to his early departure.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2024
RMB Latitudes Art Fair, EBONY/CURATED, Johannesburg, South Africa

2023
Untitled Art Miami Beach, EBONY/CURATED, Miami, United States of America
'Norval Foundation’s 6th Collectors Focus: The Kilbourn Collection', Norval Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
‘Today, I Wish to Talk to You Dreams’, curated by Amogelang Maledu, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa

2022
Also Known As Africa (AKAA), EBONY/CURATED, Paris, France
‘Actions and Reflections’, Solo, EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town, South Africa
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town, South Africa

2020
‘Tejidos Disidentes’, Galería Nueva Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain
Installation Episcopio Art Gallery, Collective Exhibition, Ávila, Spain

2019
‘Sea Stories’ African Museum Exhibition, Madrid, Spain
“Akooó”, Mamah África Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain

2018
‘In Search of Light’, UNED, Madrid, Spain

2015
Albuniasi Art Gallery, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

2014
‘Mixing Actions and Reflections’, CCSB (Spanish Cultural Centre), Bata, Equatorial Guinea

2012
FNB Joburg Art Fair, Momart EG, Johannesburg, South Africa

2011
‘Variatios’, CCEM (Spanish Cultural Centre), Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
‘Mixing Actions and Reflections’, CCSB (Spanish Cultural Centre), Bata, Equatorial Guinea

2009
‘Writings in the City of Malabo’, CCEM (Spanish Cultural Centre), Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

2003
Sala de Armas Art Gallery, Ciudadela, Pamplona, Spain

2002
Esperanza Cabaret Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain

2001
La Peluquería Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain

2000
'Africa más Cerca’, African Art Exhibition Book Fair, Bilbao, Spain
Manuel Macías Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain

1996
‘El Rastrillo’ Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain
‘FORRUM’ Gallery, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain

1995
FUTONIA Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain
Tavern Suristan Gallery, Madrid, Spain

1993
‘Don’t Tell Anyone’, Independent Hall, Madrid, Spain

1990
‘Novoart’ Gallery, Madrid, Spain

1988
Spanish Centre of Geneva Forum Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland
‘Choose Me’, Independent Hall, Madrid, Spain

1987
SEN Gallery Collective Exhibition, Madrid, Spain

1985
‘Library of Women’, Exhibition Hall, Madrid, Spain

1984
Collective exhibition of Equatorial Guinean artists, Parla Savings Bank, Madrid, Spain

Installations and Performances

2022
Performance in response to 'Actions and Reflections', Norval Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa

2015
Equatorial -Guinean Center Extension, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Extension Hotel Sofitel Sipopo, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Sculpture with BBP “The Ureca Turtles”, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

2003
Arms Hall, Ciudadela, Pamplona, Spain
University of Murcia, Espinardo Campus, Murcia, Spain
“El Cojo” Tavern, Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain

2001
Tavern, ‘La Inquilina’, Madrid, Spain

2000
‘El Druida’ Tavern, Madrid, Spain

1998
UNHCR in collaboration with The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain
CC San José Obrero, Ponferrada, Spain

1997
Nuestra Señora De Africa College, Madrid, Spain

1995
Ateneo Mercantil, Bacelona, Spain
Roberto ‘El Pirata’

1994
National Museum of Anthropology, Madrid, Spain

1993
Municipal Culture Athenaeum, Guadalajara, Mexico
Chinchón Parador, Madrid, Spain
Islamic Center, Madrid, Spain

1992
Café Bar Ydyl, Madrid, Spain

1991
Navalmoral de la Mata House of Culture, Madrid, Spain
House of Culture Jarraiz de la Vera, Cáceres, Spain
Plasencia Savings Bank, Cáceres, Spain

1990
Toledo Savings Bank
“Al Modo Bar” Independent Room, Madrid, Spain
“La Capital” Restaurant, Madrid, Spain
University of Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain

1989
University of Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
Our Lady of Africa College, Madrid, Spain

1987
Cultural Center “La Lonja”, Municipal Council of Tetuán, Madrid, Spain

1986
Café “El Negrito”, Local “Público”, Valencia, Spain

COLLECTIONS

The Kilbourn Collection, Cape Town, South Africa
Almas Art Foundation, London, UK

WORKSHOPS

2015
Textile Workshop with BBP María Cano School

2015
Textile Workshop with BBP Moca

2014
Corporal Expression Workshop TEFF MALABO

2013
Textile Art Workshop CCF Malabo

2008
‘Apocolypse’ ICEF Theater Workshop, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

2001
BODY EXPRESSION BASED ON AFRICAN DANCE. (Teacher) Area of ​​Dramatic Art Madrid City Council

1996
“AFRICA, ETHNIC MUSIC AND CURRENT MUSIC, ENCOUNTER BETWEEN TWO WORLDS’, I Cycle of Ethnic Music Ripollet, Barcelona, Spain

1995
“SYMBOLISM IN AFRICAN TEXTILE ART! International Textile Art Meeting, Andorra

Cinema Theatre and Television Features

2003
Advertising Spot HALCÓN VIAJES (Actor)

2002
“ANOTHER LOOK…. AN APPROACH TO LAVAPIÉS” by Basel Ramsis. (Introducing Actor)
BEYONG-RESANIMATOR (Special Appearance)
AUSIAS MARCH Canal 9 (Special Appearance)
1996
“LA ISLA NEGRA” by Cecilia Bartolomé and Marea Films
(Advisor for dubbing in African languages ​​and for the Original Soundtrack of the film.)

1995
Television Program “TE HA TOCAO” (Actor)
“MY OTHER LIFE”
“HUSBAND FOR SALE”
“PLUTONIO ON BOARD”
“NO GOES ANYMORE”

1994
“High heels”P. Almodovar (Special Appearance)

1993
Cinema “Wait for me in Heaven” (Special Feature)
Musical Comedy Show “CANDI DOS BANDA” Tour of Extremadura (Actor)
“TITO ANDRÓNICO” Mérida Theater, Junta of Extremadura (Actor)

1992
Comedy Theater Course, Dramatic Center of Badajoz