Lilia Porter
Bio
Liliana Porter, born in Buenos Aires in 1941, is one of Argentina's most prominent contemporary artists, known for her exploration of representation, time, and memory. Over the course of her career, she has worked with various media, from printmaking to installation art, photography, and theater. Her work is characterized by a profound reflection on reality, objects, and subjects, and is distinguished by her ability to combine humor with philosophical inquiry.
Porter has been a key figure in the development of conceptual and experimental art in Argentina. For instance, in her series Forty Years (2013), she compares her current hand with that of the 1970s, creating a dialogue between the present and the past. This ability to explore the passage of time and personal history in both profound and accessible ways is a hallmark of her work. Furthermore, she uses found objects and scenes loaded with symbolism, often oscillating between the comic and the dramatic.
Porter has presented her work in over 450 international exhibitions, including at prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Her participation in the 2017 Venice Biennale marked a major milestone in her career, solidifying her as one of the most relevant contemporary artists.
Statement
Liliana Porter's artistic practice explores the intersections of reality, fiction, and time through diverse mediums such as printmaking, painting, photography, video, and installations. Her work often features small, everyday objects or figurines, arranged in scenes that evoke humor, nostalgia, and philosophical reflection. By placing these elements in surreal or ambiguous contexts, Porter challenges perceptions of scale, memory, and meaning. Her minimalist yet deeply conceptual approach transforms the mundane into poignant metaphors, inviting viewers to reflect on human existence, collective narratives, and the passage of time.