Lina Bo Bardi

Lina Bo Bardi 1914 - 1992

Born in Rome in 1914 and a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Rome, she began her career in Gio Ponti's studio and became editor of the magazine Domus until it was banned in 1944. After marrying Pietro Maria Bardi, the couple emigrated to Sao Paulo, taking with them Pietro Bardi's art collection and library. During an exhibition of their collection, the Bardi couple met Oscar Niemeyer, Lúcio Costa and Assis Chateaubriand; the latter financed the creation of the Sao Paulo Museum of Modern Art, of which Lina was the architect while Pietro was director from 1947 to 1996. While developing her architectural projects, Lina Bo Bardi founded Studio Arte e Palma with Giancarlo Palanti, dedicated to creating furniture for the residences designed by Lina. Studio Arte e Palma was soon sold to the Hauner brothers and became Moveis artesanal, producing some of the artist's most iconic pieces, including the Bowlchair from 1954, which has been reissued to this day. For Lina Bo Bardi, there was no distinction between popular art, which she collected and which fascinated her, and the art of the elite. Until the 1990s, she played an active role in all areas of culture. She took part in theatre, film and exhibition projects in Brazil and abroad.