Fernando Marques Penteado (born in 1955, São Paulo, Brazil) weaves personal and collective themes into a layered body of work, exploring issues such as class, gender, domesticity, and exclusion. He combines autobiography, literature, and craftsmanship in an effort to make visible the often invisible structures that govern our lives.

In Tender, Trivial, Totemic Table Talks, Penteado invites us into a space where social rituals are tangibly present. The artist sourced tables from thrift stores in Aalst, decorating them with textiles and discarded objects. On top of these tables sit totemic sculptures, layered with snacks prepared by local communities. These sculptures symbolise a politics of hospitality and reflect on the value of local labour. The artist emphasises the often invisible role of informal economies in creative and cultural exchanges, ensuring that participants are fairly compensated for their contributions. By involving the local community in the process, Penteado shifts the boundaries of the exhibition space, inviting a broader and more diverse audience—often excluded from the traditional art world. In doing so, he raises questions about the role of art institutions within the social and political landscape and challenges the distinction between art and daily life.

he exhibition takes place in a former passementerie, historically dedicated to ornamental embroidery, enhancing Penteado’s exploration of materiality and meaning through his use of verticality and structured forms. This setting makes the transformation of decorative elements into politically charged installations even more powerful, challenging the cultural and aesthetic hierarchies that often marginalize craftsmanship.

Penteado’s aesthetic choices are not only visually captivating but also serve as vessels for narrative and reflection. The interplay of color, texture, and pattern invites viewers to contemplate the emotional and political dimensions of our time. By reframing what is often deemed trivial or ornamental, Penteado disrupts the cultural codes that dictate taste and value.

In Tender, Trivial, Totemic Table Talks, Penteado invites us to reconsider the relationships that shape our social fabric: who is excluded, what forces determine who gets a seat at the table, and who decides what deserves our attention. He offers a nuanced critique of power, privilege, and the politics of cultural production by rearranging and reinterpreting everyday materials and practices.