Carlos Lopes was born in Fontes Almeida, in the municipality of São Domingos, on the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. In 2007, he completed his training in Visual Arts at M_EIA – Mindelo International School of Art, in São Vicente. Subsequently, he obtained a master's degree in Art Education from the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC), in Portugal. Between 2007 and 2010, he worked as a Coordinating Teacher of Drawing and Visual and Technological subjects at the Luciano García Secondary School, in João Teves – Órgãos, and from 2010 to 2020, he was a Coordinating Teacher of Creative Geometry, Drawing and Art Education at the Miraflores Educational Center in Praia.

 

Themes and style
Carlos Lopes' works explore themes related to the social and cultural reality of Cape Verde.

The artist frequently depicts the Cape Verdean landscape, the figure of women, political issues, and the role of artists in society.
His work falls within a contemporary and neo-expressionist art approach, with a strong symbolic and social component.

 

Artistic perspective
In several interviews, Carlos Lopes has highlighted the importance of art as an instrument of criticism, revelation, and social transformation. He believes that the artist has an active role in society, being able to "question themselves through art, in the sense of a paradigm shift at all levels — political, social, and economic."

 

Teaching activity
Alongside his artistic activities, Carlos Lopes works as a teacher of Descriptive Geometry and Art Education.

He advocates a pedagogical approach that sparks students' interest in art and promotes aesthetic sensitivity. According to him, "teaching and painting are complementary activities," as both involve an exchange of knowledge and creative development.

 

Artistic career
As a visual artist, Carlos Lopes has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, most notably:

• "Poetic Arts and Fragments", a collective painting exhibition at the Praia City Hall (2017);

• "Cape Verde: Neo-expressionism", exhibition at Galeria Nela Barbosa, Palmarejo-Baixo (2017);

• "Freedom", exhibition and conference at the University of Cape Verde (UNICV, 2017);

• "Hiddenstream", exhibition at the Ildo Lobo Cultural Palace (New Talents Cycle, 2018);

• "Contemporary Kabu Verdi" - [[Cidade Velha Cultural Center]] (2019);

• "Xalabas Project", in Achada Grande Frente (2019);

• "Palace Outside the Doors", at the Pérola Hotel and Ministry of Finance (2018);

• "Young Talents", at Jean Piaget University (2019);

• "Culture and Communities Day", at the Ildo Lobo Cultural Palace (2019).

• Visual Narratives, Fantasies and Daydreams (2020).

• "The Liquid Times" (Jun 2025)