Elson Angélico

Elson Alexandre Corujeira Angélico is a businessman, curator, and philanthropist with a deep passion for African art and a vision to elevate African and Afro-descendant artists on the global stage. He is the Founder and President of the Board of WAAU, and the driving force behind the association’s commitment to art as a vehicle for diplomacy, freedom, education, and development.

Born in Luanda, Angola, and raised in Paris, Elson’s multicultural upbringing has shaped his innovative and cross-cultural approach to both art and business. He studied Fashion and Interior Design at Créapole l’École de Création et Management in Paris and has built a distinguished international career working with luxury brands across Paris, Thailand, Zurich, Singapore, Seoul, and Lisbon.

He is the founder of MEXTO Property Investment, a luxury real estate investment and development firm based in Lisbon, recognized for its luxury rehabilitation projects that have earned awards such as the Prémio Nacional do Imobiliário and the SIL Awards in categories including Best Real Estate Development, Best Rehabilitation, and Best Project.

In 2019, Elson launched Not A Museum (NAM), an art lab in Lisbon dedicated to fostering artistic innovation and collaboration. In 2022, he founded WAAU, further reinforcing his long-standing commitment to contemporary art, cultural inclusion, and global visibility for African creators.

Elson also serves as a member of the Committee of Honour of ARCOlisboa International Contemporary Art Fair, which WAAU has proudly collaborated with since 2021.

His cultural and philanthropic contributions have been recognized by the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Malta, and he is a Nominator for the Sovereign Art Foundation.