Graduated in Architecture and Urbanism from FAU-USP, Zé Bico (José Carlos Machado) has been producing and exhibiting as an artist since the mid-1980s. His research focuses on forces of attraction and optical effects developed through a variety of procedures that give rise to works in wood, glass, steel, and mirrors. Having worked for many years with magnets in the production of his pieces has allowed the artist to develop a practice based on subtle movements and precise calculations, generated not by theoretical methods, but rather by empirical ones.

From the magnetic force of magnets, Zé Bico expands his investigation into balance and instability, exploring gravitational force through new objects. This results in suspended wooden pieces that articulate together and follow a trajectory that runs from near the ceiling down to a base where they can rest. The design of these suspended pieces— incomplete cubes formed only by some edges—recurs in other works that make up his production. They also appear disintegrated in pieces that evoke interlocking joints: even further removed from the original contour and volume of the cube, their parts assemble over one another in various positions of equilibrium. In addition to wood, he explores the possibilities of such joints in corten steel, engaging in dialogue with the tradition of modern and monumental sculpture.

Among the various solo and group exhibitions he has participated in, the following stand out: Projeto Macunaíma, Funarte, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; O Reducionismo na Arte Brasileira (19o Bienal de São Paulo), Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; International Exhibition of Ephemeral Sculptures, Fortaleza, Brazil; O Estado da Arte e Abertura 1980, Instituto Figueiredo Ferraz, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

education
Graduated in Architecture and Urbanism from FAU-USP – Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo, São Paulo, Brazil

solo and group shows

2025
Zé Bico: Fermata erótica, Galeria Marcelo Guarnieri, São Paulo, Brasil

2023
Zé Bico, Galeria Marcelo Guarnieri, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil

2019
Abertura 1980. Instituto Figueiredo Ferraz, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil

2017
Coletiva, Galeria Marcelo Guarnieri, São Paulo, Brasil

2016
O Estado da Arte. Curadoria Maria Alice Milliet. Instituto Figueiredo Ferraz, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil

2015
Coletiva (Ana Paula Oliveira / Ana Sario / Flavia Ribeiro / Ivan Serpa / José Carlos Machado / Laura Vinci / Luiz Paulo Baravelli / Mariannita Luzzati / Masao Yamamoto / Paola Junqueira). Galeria Marcelo Guarnieri, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil
José Carlos Machado. Galeria Marcelo Guarnieri, São Paulo, Brasil

2012
“Além da Forma: Plano, Matéria, Espaço e Tempo”. Instituto Figueiredo Ferraz, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil
“José Carlos Machado”. Galeria Marcelo Guarnieri, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil

1988
Exposição Projeto Macunaíma, São Paulo, Brasil
Workshop Berlin. São Paulo, Brasil

1987
Participação na Exposição de Tecnologia da USP. São Paulo, Brasil

1986
IV Salão Paulista de Arte Contemporãnea. São Paulo, Brasil
Exposição Internacional de Esculturas Efêmeras. Fortaleza, Brasil
Salão Nacional de Artes Plásticas. Brasília, Brasil
Prêmio Aquisição no 9º Salão Nacional de Artes Plásticas. Brasília, Brasil
Prêmio Aquisição no 9º Salão Nacional de Artes Plásticas. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
19º Bienal de São Paulo (O Reducionismo na Arte Brasileira). São Paulo, Brasil
Participação Exposição Coletiva MASP. São Paulo, Brasil

1985
Exposição Coletiva. Galeria São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil