José Damasceno uses a large variety of materials, techniques, and mediums to investigate the limits of sculpture. Damasceno’s poetics departs from dislocation and estrangement to conceive fluid and shifting perspectives of space representation. The artist enhances and transforms these spaces by adding improbable objects and happenings. His research involves matters of surface and depth, of solidity and gravity, producing a physical, experiential sensation in the viewer through their contact with the work.

Damasceno has held solo exhibitions at Centro Cultural da Justiça Federal – CCJF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2025); Millan, São Paulo, Brazil (2023 e 2018); Pinacoteca de São Paulo, Brazil (2021); Santander Cultural, Porto Alegre, Brazil (2015); Holborn Library, London, UK, (2014); Casa França-Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2014); Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain (2008); Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, USA (2004).

Damasceno has represented Brazil at the Venice Biennale, Italy (2005 and 2007), and has also participated in the Sydney Biennale, Australia (2006); the 4th Mercosul Biennial, Porto Alegre, Brazil (2003); and the 25th Bienal de São Paulo, Brazil (2002). His work has been featured in group exhibitions at institutions such as the Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins – MACAM, Lisbon, Portugal; Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona, USA; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA; Fundament Foundation, Tilburg, Netherlands; Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France; Museu Serralves, Porto, Portugal; and Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro – MAM Rio, Brazil.

His work is featured in permanent collections such as the Tate Gallery, UK; Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation, USA; Daros Latinoamerica Ag, Switzerland; Insituto Inhotim, Brazil; Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo – MAM São Paulo, Brazil; Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Spain; and Museum of Modern Art – MoMA, USA.