Lígia Oliveira's interdisciplinary practice specialises in balancing human well-being and planetary health. Her work focuses on finding meaning in this process, and she provides tailored, systemic solutions within the culture and innovation sectors. Lígia's approach integrates relational, systemic, and ecological frameworks, drawing from her interest in psychology and contemplative practices.
Understanding the interdependence between humans, other species, and ecosystems, Lígia emphasises the role of innovation in strengthening these relationships. Her work includes speaking, writing, art, design, urban design, teaching, and consulting, ensuring a collaborative and individualised experience for clients and audiences.
Lígia has collaborated with the Croatia Pavilion for the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Academy, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, and the European Commission. Her work was featured at the 2024 United Nations Ocean Decade Conference.
Lígia earned her Ph.D. in public space and urban regeneration from the University of Barcelona. Her research has explored the role of culture and innovation in social and urban change, including in metropolitan policies and the transformation of derelict industrial areas into creative, knowledge-based industrial districts. With a background in product design from Esad Matosinhos and a stint at the University of Antwerp, her accomplishments include the 3rd prize in urban furniture from Antwerp City Council and Havenhuis (co-author), the 2nd prize in illustration from Matosinhos City Council, research at the University of Barcelona, and teaching at the University of Porto. In 2019, Lígia sought a deeper connection with nature, immersing herself in daily practices that inform her perspective and knowledge, ultimately enriching her approach towards a flourishing human and planetary well-being approach.
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Lígia has been supported by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, and Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, among others. She is deeply grateful to these institutions, colleagues, friends, and clients for their contributions to her work.
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Born in Porto, Lígia speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish, while having previously studied other languages. She views language as a means to broaden perspectives and foster understanding, compassion, and respect—values she applies in her relational approach to work, extending towards more than humans. Both in her garden in Porto and then growing up by the Ria Formosa wetlands in southern Portugal, Lígia experienced a deep sense of connection and belonging to Nature — a primal relationship she keeps nurturing, in her life and work.
Lígia is a member of Gallery Climate Coalition, Design+Posthumanism Network and Rise Up for the Ocean.
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HONOURS, AWARDS, GRANTS
• Mind and Life Institute, USA, 2021 & 2022
• Portuguese Ministry of Culture, 2020
• University of Barcelona, 2011
• University of Porto, 2009
• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, 2009
• Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, 2009
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, 2000
• Portuguese Design Centre, 1999
• 3rd prize in urban furniture, Antwerp City Council and Havenhuis (co-author), 1999
• 2nd prize in illustration, Matosinhos City Council, 1999
PROJECTS, COLLABORATIONS, EXHIBITIONS (selection)
• Croatia Pavilion for the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale
• European Institute of Innovation and Technology
• European Commission
• Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Academy
• Mind & Life Institute, USA
• Culatra 2030, Portugal
• UNESCO Chair Ocean’s Cultural Heritage, NOVA University, Portugal
• Casa Fuzetta, Olhão, Portugal
• Experimentadesign, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon
• Havenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium
ACADEMIA
• Researcher, University of Barcelona 2009—2014
• Guest Professor, University of Barcelona, 2010
• Professor, University of Porto, 2007—2008
• Researcher, University of Barcelona, 2000—2003
PUBLICATIONS (selection)
• The Whole Body is Hands and Eyes, book
• Mediating Human-Nature Relationships: Culture and Innovation in Urban Policies for Flourishing Oceans and Global Well-Being, 2024 United Nations Ocean Decade Conference, Barcelona (poster)
• Reconsidering the body and/in the Landscape, in Designing in Coexistence – Reflections on Systemic Change. Croatia Pavilion for the 2023 Venice Biennale of Architecture. Zagreb: Association of Croatian Architects
• Embracing the Abyss: Kinship with the Unknown, in Culturing the Deep Sea: Towards a common heritage for allkinds - Ocean Archive Journeys, 2023. Venice: Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Academy
• Odisea, book
• Sessenta dias de madrugada, book
• Public space and culture in flagship new productive districts: Can Framis case study, Art Critics Association, Aragon, Spain
• Culture as an engine in Palo Alto’s urban regeneration process, University of Barcelona
• Interdisciplinarity: teaching/learning in urban design projects, University of Barcelona (w/ Brandão, A.L.; Castillo, M.; Esparza, D.; Padilla, S.; Pinto, A.J.; Ríos, M.; Salas, X.; Sasa, Z.)
• Public space in culture-led historic centre transformation projects: Porto case study, University of Barcelona
• The Economy of the Artist, Braço de Ferro, 2009 (book editor, w/ Isabel Carvalho and Pedro Nora)