Dalton Paula’s Spiritual Iconography Unveiled at Frieze London
The Brazilian artist's compelling new paintings weave together symbols of healing, knowledge and Afro Brazilian spiritual tradition, presented through Lisson Gallery at Frieze London 2026.
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Dalton Paula’s luminous new body of work emerges as a profound meditation on the intersections between knowledge, spirituality and cultural memory. Presented at Frieze London 2026 through Lisson Gallery, these six paintings on canvas form a cohesive meditation on meaning making, each composition layered with symbolic resonance and meticulous intentionality.
Within Paula’s meticulously considered compositions lie objects imbued with profound significance. Stones representing Xangô, the orisha revered in Afro Brazilian spiritual traditions as the embodiment of divine justice and righteous authority, anchor the works with their grounded presence. Alongside these sacred elements sit pencils, those humble instruments of knowledge and education, creating an eloquent dialogue between the material and the immaterial, between earthly learning and spiritual transcendence.
The artist’s approach unfolds as a sophisticated interrogation of how knowledge and spirituality remain inextricably bound within cultural practice. Through carefully considered arrangements and a refined chromatic sensibility, Paula examines the threads that connect educational aspiration with spiritual wisdom, creating visual narratives that speak to the complexity of Afro Brazilian heritage and contemporary experience.
Each detail within these paintings carries weight and intention. Nothing is arbitrary; every element functions as a deliberate gesture toward meaning. The compositions demonstrate Paula’s sophisticated understanding of how objects function as vessels for cultural memory and spiritual understanding, transcending their everyday associations to become conduits for deeper exploration.
The presentation at Frieze London reflects the artist’s continued commitment to elevating these conversations within the contemporary art discourse. Through Lisson Gallery’s curatorial vision, Paula’s work enters into dialogue with audiences of exceptional discernment, inviting contemplation on the profound ways that cultural tradition, spiritual practice and intellectual pursuit remain profoundly interconnected.
These paintings represent a significant moment in Paula’s artistic practice, one in which the personal becomes universal, and the specific becomes a gateway to understanding broader truths about identity, knowledge and the sacred dimensions of lived experience.
Imagery courtesy of Lisson Gallery (@lisson_gallery).