Plácido “Pocho” Guimaraes (Malabo – Equatorial Guinea, 1951) currently lives in Spain and carries on the tradition of Equatorial Guinean textile craft practice that has been passed down from generation to generation in local communities and Bubi culture. By contemporising these traditions he also uses dance, symbols and experiences to enrich his current works, 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 objects and elements are loaded with personal or family meanings and each of the works he produces refers to a specific theme and reality of his immediate environment: his political dissidence, 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 political persecution by Nguema had direct implications for Guimaraes’s family, 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 Kiev in 1975, where he studied Urban Planning. Upon returning to Spain, he studied Fine Arts in Valencia thereafter exploring a multitude of visual languages and collaborations in the world of dance, theatre and cinema. From 2005 – 2019 Guimaraes returned to Equatorial Guinea and lived on the island of Bioko undergoing the traditional ceremonies that he was unable to perform due to his early departure from the country at the age of 17.

Pocho Guimaraes has been participating in exhibitions since 1984 and currently lives and works in Spain.

Selected Exhibitions

2023
'Norval Foundation’s 6th Collectors’ Focus: The Kilbourn Collection', Norval Foundation, Cape Town
‘Today, I Wish to Talk to You Dreams’, curated by Amogelang Maledu, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town

2022 Also Known As Africa (AKAA), Paris, France
‘Actions and Reflections’, Solo EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town, South Africa
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, EBONY/CURATED, Main Booth B3, 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, installation and Performance, Madrid, Spain
“Akooó”, Exhibition, Performance and Workshop, Mamah África Art Gallery Madrid, Spain
2018 ‘In Search of Light’ UNED (50th Anniversary of Independence Seminar, Exhibition and Talk, Madrid, Spain
2015 Albuniasi Art Gallery, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
2014 ‘Mixing Actions and Reflections’ CCEM (Spanish Cultural Centre), Bata, Equatorial Guinea
2012 Momart EG, FNB Joburg Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa
2011 ‘Variatios’ (Tapestries Installation and Performance) CCEM (Spanish Cultural Centre), Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
‘Mixing Actions and Reflections’ CCEM (Spanish Cultural Centre), Bata, Equatorial Guinea
2009 ‘Writings in the City of Malabo’ (Tapestries Installation and Performance) 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 Exhibition Hall, ‘Library of Women’, Madrid, Spain
1984 Collective exhibition of Equatorial Guinean artists, Parla Savings Bank, Madrid, Spain




Installations and Performances

2015 Equatorial -Guinean Center Extension, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Extension Hotel Sofitel Sipopo, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Abuñasi Restaurant
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















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 TV special appearances.
“High heels”P. Almodovar
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