At ARCOlisboa 2025, WAAU spoke with its president and founder, Elson Angélico, for an insightful exchange on art, cultural infrastructure, and narrative change. The conversation took place, fittingly, at the WAAU booth and exhibitional space, which continue to serve each year as vital meeting points within the fair.
Angélico shared reflections on his personal and professional journey, shaped by a sustained engagement with contemporary African and diasporic art. He recalled founding NOT A MUSEUM, an experimental art lab located in a central Lisbon district, which hosted some of the city’s most resonant Afrocentric artistic initiatives.
He also discussed MEXTO, the company he co-founded, which today plays a dual role as patron of WAAU and official sponsor of ARCOlisboa, a significant alignment between business, cultural advocacy, and structural support for the arts.
Looking forward, Angélico spoke about WAAU’s ambition to be present at the 2026 Venice Biennale, its ongoing work to reframe narratives—including in educational systems, and its role in bringing critical voices and dialogues to ARCOlisboa each year.

📍Cordoaria Nacional, Avenida da Índia, 1300-342 Lisbon, Portugal.