Pádua Ramos

The search for figurative expression, an alternative to the Modern movement, is pervasive in the work of Luís Pádua Ramos (1931-2005). Throughout his career, the Porto-based architect and designer progressively sought functionality as well as symbolic and semantic dimensions  in architecture and design.

Influenced by Popular Art and the radical movements of the 1970s, Pádua Ramos’ design practice is also marked by the universe of decorative objects. His vocation as a tireless collector created one of Europe's largest collections of popular and erudite art.

The exhibition curated by Maria Milano is accompanied by the publication of an extensive monograph dedicated to Pádua Ramos. The three-volume monograph is the result of the research led by authors Gisela Lameira, Luciana Rocha and Rita Maia Gomes, as well as Maria Milano, in conjunction with esad—idea. This publication fills a gap in the study and dissemination of Pádua Ramos' work, providing a broad overview of his entire architecture and design oeuvre while addressing his collecting work, a practice that reinforced the symbolic and figurative dimension of his project.

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