Miguel Pires

Miguel Pires is a Portuguese painter born in 1968, based in Lisbon. Known for his powerful visual language, Pires blends symbolic and figurative elements with pop culture and political critique to create a rich and expressive body of work. His artistic journey spans decades and reflects an ever-evolving exploration of identity, history, and the human condition.

Drawing on influences as diverse as classical portraiture, surrealism, and contemporary media, his paintings often feature iconic figures such as David Bowie, Neil Armstrong, and Mário Soares. Pires works with oil, acrylic, gouache, and charcoal on various surfaces including canvas, paper, and cardboard. His versatility allows him to shift between delicate introspection and bold social commentary.

Artistic Style & Themes

Pires navigates between classical figurative tradition and expressionist experimentation. His themes include memory, mortality, vanity, political identity, and spirituality. Notable series include:

• Monsters – Rasgadas Paintings: Symbolic deconstruction of the grotesque and inner conflict.
• New Vanitas: A poetic reinterpretation of the Baroque concept of vanitas for the 21st century.

Featured Work

One of his standout pieces is Mona (2013), oil on canvas (120 x 82 cm), part of a private collection. The painting explores labor, class, and dignity, emphasizing the artist’s long-standing engagement with humanist and sociopolitical themes.

Online Presence

Since 2008, Miguel Pires has shared his work and reflections through his personal blog and social media. You can follow his journey here: