Internationally awarded in the European Parliament
Contemporary Photography Collection
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION
“MOMENTS OF HUMANITY”
Works from novobanco Photography Collection
This collective exhibition is inspired by a quote from Robert Frank,
one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century,
explores human representation that transcends the visual mere,
becoming a vehicle for emotional and narrative expression.
“There is one thing the photography must contain, the humanity of the moment. This kind of photography is realism. But realism is not enough – there has to be vision, and the two together can make a good photograph."
- Robert Frank”
Represented Artists:
Robert Frank | Wolfgang Tillmans | Hans-Peter Feldmann | Philip-Lorca diCorcia
Hellen Van Meene; Martha Wilson; Pierre Gonnord; Kimsooja e Barbara Kruger.
With works from the novobanco Photography Collection, the exhibition Moments of Humanity explores human representation through portraiture. It goes beyond mere visual documentation to become a vehicle for emotional and narrative expression, offering a distinct perspective on what it means to be human.
The works on display reflect not only the individuality of each subject, but also the interconnections that bind us as a society and the complexity of the human condition, while also celebrating the beauty found in difference. In this exhibition, Moments of Humanity, fifteen works have been selected from the novobanco Photography Collection, by nine internationally renowned artists: Robert Frank; Wolfgang Tillmans; Hans-Peter Feldmann; Philip-Lorca diCorcia; Hellen Van Meene; Martha Wilson; Pierre Gonnord; Kimsooja and Barbara Kruger.
About the artists and their works:
- Four works by Robert Frank, a pivotal figure in the history of photography, who documented the many layers of American society, rejecting established conventions and focusing on ordinary people.
- Wolfgang Tillmans presents a large-scale installation composed of 17 photographs that capture human experience, with a focus on identity and memory.
- Hans-Peter Feldmann appropriates images from everyday life and carries out artistic interventions that reveal the essence of those same images.
- Philip-Lorca diCorcia, the American photographer, draws us in with a blend of the documentary and theatrical, fact and fiction.
- The two works by Hellen van Meene confront us with the unsettling realism of lingering girlhood and emerging adulthood.
- Martha Wilson presents a self-portrait inscribed around the frame of the image, questioning social representations.
- Kimsooja’s contemplative light box photograph explores the human condition through self-awareness and awareness of others, in pursuit of a comprehensive wholeness.
- Barbara Kruger powerfully reveals fundamental human emotions, reflecting on how these emotions and concepts are portrayed and manipulated by the media and society.
- And a tribute to Pierre Gonnord — we join in the homage to the artist during 2025 ARCO Madrid international art fair , with the exhibition of four works from the novobanco Photography Collection, two of which — Iris and Júlia — establish a connection between the artist and our country, through the project Gaia, Mother Earth, photographed in Portugal. “They are like kings and queens in exile.”
Curatorship_ Alexandra Conde
Head of novobanco Photography Collection
Espaço novobanco
Pç. Marquês de Pombal 3A, 1250-161 Lisboa
Horário | 9h às 17h
The Photography Collection won the international award at the "Corporate Art Awards - Mecenati of the XXI Century" on 28 November 2018 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The distinction "For the Outstanding Photography Collection of 21st century living artists" aims to promote collaboration between the world of business and art and is an important recognition of the unique example of cultural patronage, which has created one of the most important corporate collections of contemporary art from the world made up of living artists from the 21st century.
The novobanco Photography Collection was initiated in 2004 with the acquisition of a lightbox by Jeff Wall a self-portrait by Cindy Sherman, a view of Shanghai by Thomas Struth and an image of a bookcase by Candida Höfer. From here, the Collection expanded quickly, and today, it's one of the most relevant contemporary corporate art collections in Europe. These four works considered as a reference framework for the collection of photo-based artworks from living artists of the 21st century, it now contains over 1,000 works from 300 artists of various generation and 38 nationalities.
All the works included in the Collection are based on photographic records in this broadest expression, ranging from Wolfgang Tilmans installation, photo-sculptures by Christian Boltansky or drawings and paintings employing photography by artists such as John Baldessari.
Given the diversity of works by artists from all over the world, the Contemporary Photography Collection from novobanco provides a panoramic view of the best-of-the-best in contemporary art after 2000, with the mission- to question existing realities and to foster an understanding of different cultures- is still very much alive, with works illustrating the corporate landmarks of the past and present, presenting a summarized view of the most significant characteristics of artistic practice in recent decades.
The Collection, considered one of the most important of its kind, became publicly accessible being one of the contemporary art sponsorship program most relevant at national level, which is part of novobanco responsible citizenship initiatives and sustainability policies.
Founding member of IACCCA- International Association of Corporate Collections of Contemporary Art and member of ICOM- International Council of Museums the Collection have a distinguish curriculum and is one of the top corporate collections in the world.
Recognition and Curriculum
- 2018. Awarded with the "For the Outstanding Photography Collection of 21st century living artists" international award by "Corporate Art Awards - Art Patrons of the XXI Century", announced at the European Parliament, within the celebrations of the European Year of the Cultural Heritage;
- 2018. Selected for the official program of the third edition of the International Fair ARCOLisboa;
- 2017. Selected for the official program of the second edition of the International Fair ARCOLisboa;
- 2016. Selected to participate in the international "Corporate Art Awards 2016", which aims to identify, recognize and promote excellence and best practices in collaboration between the corporate world and international art through Corporate Collections;
- 2016. Selected for the ARCOLisboa first edition official program. The only collection outside the institutional museum's circuit to be included in this program;
- 2015. Considered one of the 80 best corporate collections in the world by Global Corporate Collection publication;
- 2014. Was honored with the integration in the 100 Best Corporate Collections in the World, being the only Portuguese collection represented;
- 2012. Invited to exhibit at the ARCOMadrid;
- 2011. Awarded with the 15th “A” Corporate Collection Award 2011 by ARCOMadrid.
Are only available in the site search the works listed in the catalog "The Present: An Infinite Dimension" of the first public exhibition of the Collection at the Coleção Berardo Museum in 2008.
