Mário Macilau (b. 1984, Mozambique, lives and works in Maputo) is a multi-disciplinary artist most known for his photography.
Macilau specialises in long-term photography projects and series that address the complex realities of human labour and environmental conditions. Macilau started his journey as a photographer in 2003 from the streets of Maputo, becoming professional when he traded his mother's cell phone for his first camera in 2007.
Mario Macilau (b. 1984, Maputo, Mozambique)
Notable solo and group exhibitions include:
A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography, Tate Modern, London, 2023; 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London,2023
Unseen Amsterdam, 2018; Songs of the Present, Musée de la Photographie de Saint Louis, Senegal, 2018; Speaking… and there is still no one to hear me, Dubai, 2018; Afrique Capitales, La Villette, Paris, 2017, VOLTA 9: New York, 2016,
Pavilion of the Holy See, 56th Venice Biennale, 2015, Making Africa, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany, 2015, Discovery Show, Fotofestiwal Łódź, Poland; 2015, Pangaea: Art from Africa and Latin America, Saatchi Gallery, London, 2015, Fotofest Biennial, Houston, 2015, International Biennial of Casablanca, Morocco, Recontres Picha, Bienalle de Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2013 The Biennale Arts Actuels, Saint-Denis, Réunion; Esquecidos, Pan-African Exhibition, Recontres de Bamako: Biennale of African Photography, Mali, 2011; VI Chobi Mela Photo Festival, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2011; Lagos Photo, Nigeria, 2011; Photo Spring, Beijing, China, 2011
Prizes and Awards include:
James Barnor African Photography Prize (2023)and Roger Pic Prize, (2023)
Macilau’s work is held in numerous private and public collections worldwide, including:
Centre Pompidou, Paris; Quai Branly Museum, Paris, Vatican Museum; Nando’s Art Collection