POMAR – Ó Liberdade chamei-te

Júlio Pomar was political prisoner number 8998. Opponent of the regime, anti-fascist, unique artist who through his life and work contributed to the overthrow of the dictatorship, the conquest of freedom and the construction of democracy. This exhibition, as part of the 50th anniversary of April 25, looks at some of his work during the revolutionary period and his indelible mark on the celebrations of the Revolution (1994, 2004, 2014), responding with restlessness and doubt to the world around him, in a permanent concern with freedom(s).

In an interview with journalist Anabela Mota Ribeiro in 2012, Pomar said a fado of his own, “Oh Freedom I called you, you didn’t give your name, one thing is appetite, another thing is hunger…”. He replies that if he sings it’s because “the times and conditions in which we live lead us to think about how so-called freedom is far from being an acquired right”.

At the invitation of the 25th of April Association, Júlio Pomar designed the posters calling for participation in the Popular April 25th Parade on Avenida da Liberdade, in Lisbon in 1994, 2004 and 2014 with Henrique Cayatte.

In what would be his last collaboration with the 25th of April Association, he warned of the importance of “drawing on the experience” of those who made the revolution. This is also what we try to do on a daily basis here in this museum, to preserve and share democratic memory.

Technical data:

Curated by: Rita Rato and Sara Antónia Matos
Graphic design: Eduardo Ferreira
Production: Ana Reguino, Joana Alves and Joana Batel
Communication: Eduardo Ferreira, Joana Alves and Sara Borralho
Support: Lisbon Municipal Archive, Lisbon Municipal Library and RTP Archives
Acknowledgements: Alexandre Pomar, 25 April Association and Pedro Nora