Cultivate who you become

Hélio Luís, born in Lisbon in 1980, explores the vestiges of colonialism and exotic archetypes through monumental paintings. “Before the Light Fades” marks his first solo exhibition in New York, a three-year presentation for the Kutlesa gallery. The exhibition, open from May 14 to June 27, 2026, gathers recent and new works, the result of two years of intense research. Luís draws inspiration from literature, photography, and archival film to create complex compositions, confronting the viewer with legacies often obscured in the history of art. These canvases, of an unusual scale, invite a deep reflection on memory and perception. The exhibition is free and offers a unique opportunity to discover the work of a rising Portuguese artist. It also takes place as part of the NADA New York salon.