aroom pageBorn in Lisbon (1972), Ana Catarina Pereira lives and works in London.

Pereira's sculptural practice is primarily process-led. Working in steel, she explores procedures that allow her to activate or annul its intrinsic properties, showing its potential for construction and destruction. Her research is orientated toward the history of the metal, reflecting concerns with humanity, politics and feminism. Ana Catarina's sculptures combine steel with materials that change over time, exploring notions of transience and impermanence.

Pereira's works are based on the theoretical behaviour of steel during its handling, in both a metallurgical and artistic sense. The surface of the steel is worked in order to remove all traces of rust and carbon and then treated with wax and natural acids, until its surface is transformed.

Literature is an important part of Pereira's creative process, and is incorporated into her work with the appropriation of titles. Virginia Woolf has been a frequent reference since the artist sees Woolf's writings as highly sculptural. Woolf also questions the notions of existence and gender which are concerns shared by Pereira in her work.

In 2012, Ana completed her Masters of Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts, and in 2013 was awarded with Clifford Chance/UAL Sculpture Prize, which included a solo exhibition at the law firm's headquarters. Her work has been shown both in Portugal and London. In 2014, Ana was longlisted for the prestigious Aesthetica Art Prize.

 


Mdina Biennale Venues