Catarina Leitão

©Chris Baker

Survival Systems, 2004
A series of signs, posted at various points in the treed area of the Park, that advertise expertly engineered products that make the outdoor experience safer, more convenient, and comfortable. The products – presented in delicately executed watercolors accompanied by catalogue-style text – allow us to blend in and function more efficiently in the wild, addressing our conflicting desires to commune with nature while being protected from natural elements.

Born 1970
Lives and works in New York, NY

Education
1999 M.F.A., Hunter College, New York, NY
1993 B.F.A., University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Catarina Leitão has been exhibiting her work nationally and internationally since 1992. Selected exhibitions include: Open Studios, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Residency at The Woolworth Building, New York, NY (2003); Go! Lliquidación Total, Madrid, Spain (2003); Catarina Leitão/Matthew Ronay, Andrea Rosen Gallery 2, New York, NY (2002); Natureza Domesticada (Tamed Nature), Centro de Arte Moderna – Museum Fundação Calouste Gilbenkian, Lisbon, Portugal (2002); A.R.D. Artificial Retreat Devices, Sintra Museu de Arte Moderna – Berardo Collection, Sintra, Portugal (2001); ENVELOPE, The Point Gallery, New York, NY (2000); Star67, Brooklyn, NY (2000); The Body In The Garment In The Furniture In The Room, Hunter College Times Square Gallery, New York, NY (1999); Bienal da Maia 1999, Portugal (1999); Inside/Out, 83 Canal, New York, NY (1999); Gallery Guute and Art Spot Gallery Marya, Hiroshima, Japan (1997); ARCO’97, International Art Fair, Arte Periferica Gallery, Madrid, Spain (1997); Acerca da Solidao dos Objectos, Arte Periferica Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal (1996); AIM – Artists in the Market Place, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York, NY (1996); Heat-up, Fukuyama Museum, Hiroshima, Japan (1996); Nature/Human Works, Gallery Korea, New York, NY (1995); Foro Atlantico de Arte Contemporanea, Art Fair, Arte Periferica Gallery, Santiaga de Compostela, Spain (1995); Mons Museum, Mons, Belgium, (1994); Art Jontion 94, Arte Periferica Gallery, Cannes, France (1994); Cooperativa Arvore, Porto, Portugal (1993); (Deslocações no Silêncio) A Gestação Secreta dos Voláteis, Leo Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal (1992).

Catarina Leitão has received numerous grants and fellowships including: the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Residency at the Woolworth Building in 2003; The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant in 2001-2002; Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and Fundação Luso-Americana Grant in 1997-1999.