Maxwell Alexandre, detail of Pátio do Clube do Flamengo na Gávea [Flamengo Club Courtyard in Gávea], 2025. Oil on pardo paper, 250 x 188 cm. Photo: Julia Thompson.

Delfina Foundation is pleased to present Sanctuary and the Shadow of its Walls, the first institutional solo exhibition in the UK by Brazilian artist Maxwell Alexandre. Marking a pivotal evolution in his practice, the exhibition unveils a series of newly commissioned paintings on pardo paper alongside site-specific scenography, contemplating the nuances of seeking sanctuary and exploring its fragile borders.

Over the past five years, Alexandre has been developing an ambitious painting series Clube (Club), shifting his focus from Black figurative works depicting the vibrant scenes in his community to the everyday life inside Clube de Regatas do Flamengo — a prestigious multi-sports club in Rio de Janeiro. Perched beside the Rocinha favela where Alexandre grew up, Flamengo offers a strikingly different sense of calm and order.

At Delfina Foundation, the artist transforms the basement gallery into an immersive, almost theatrical haven. His works weave together architectural details, the subtle social choreography of bathers, and the formal play between sun and shadow. In doing so, Alexandre invites us to ponder: What does it mean to construct a place of safety in a turbulent world? What happens within a sanctuary? And what lingers at its edges?

Public Programme

Tours

Guided Tour and Breakfast with Curator, Erin Li
10:00–11:00, Saturday 25 October

Guided tour with Curator, Erin Li
18:30–19:30, Thursday 20 November

Reserve your spot here.

Opening Hours

Tues – Sun, 12:00 – 18:00

Location:

29-31 Catherine Pl,
London SW1E 6DY

Text and pictures, copyright delfina foundation and the artist