At the end of 1962, Fernando Lemos (Lisbon, 1926 – São Paulo, 2019), painter, designer, photographer, poet and teacher, left São Paulo, where he had lived since the 1950s, for Japan.

In the middle of that year, the artist applied to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for a scholarship to work in Japan.

This six-month stay, which had a decisive influence on his creative practice, coincided with the artist’s participation in the Brazilian Pavilion at the 5th Tokyo International Trade Fair Exhibition, where he was responsible for the graphic design of the interiors and the materials distributed.

The exhibition features a selection of items from Fernando Lemos’ documentary collection, donated to the Foundation in 2023, with a special focus on those relating to his stays and work in Japan.

Alongside this section, there are also some books and magazines for which Lemos was responsible for the graphics and/or illustrated, published in Portugal and Brazil, and books offered by his friends, with dedications.