Bio
Lisbon, 1994
Maria studied Photography at Ar.Co school of arts and visual communication in Lisbon, followed by a one year of Advanced Project of Photography with António Júlio Duarte e João Paulo Serafim . Maria's observer and intuitive look reflects her thirst and urgency to understand and learn about and from the realities that surround her, in a political and social way - having been previously graduated on Political science and International relations (Lisbon), with a focus on Conflict and development (London).
Her work emerges from a persistent questioning of the realities that surround her, exploring the tensions between the real and the imagined, between the everyday and its more fragile and transient dimension. Her images oscillate between a gesture of escape and a confrontation with the political and social realities of the world.
Education
ArCo (School of Arts and Visual Communication), Lisbon
2 years Photography Course (2022-2024)
Advanced Project on Photography (2024-2025)
SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London
Master on Violence Conflict and Development (2017-2018)
IEP (Instituto Estudos Políticos) UCP, Lisbon
Bachelor on International Relations and Political Science (2014-2017)
PUC (Pontifícia Universidade Católica), Rio de Janeiro
Erasmus student (2015)
Professional
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) United Nations, Rome
Conflict-sensitive programming consultant (2018-23)
Collective Exhibitions
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, curated by Federica Eleanart with The Curtated Lisbon
Movart Gallery & Estrela 74, Lisboa (4 Dec 2025 -30 Jan 2026)
15th Lisbon Photobook Fair, Espaço dos Autores e Pequenos Editores, “No Weapons Beyond This Point”, 2025
Arquivo Municipal de Fotografia, Lisboa (28-30 Nov 2025)
“Sobre a Mesa”, 4a edição Encontros de Identidade pela Associação de Psicólogos
Convento dos Cardaes, Lisboa (6-10 Nov 2025)
Exposição Final Curso Avançado Fotografia (2024-2025) com António Júlio Duarte e João Paulo Serafim,
Galeria do ArCo Xabregas (9-17 Outubro 2025)
“Corrente de Ar Vol V.”, Pavilhões da Mitra (4-7 Sept 2025)
“Muitos Anos a Virar Frangos”, Alure P-Arte, curadoria Superficial (July/Aug 2025)
”Leilão Solidário Farol ATT Arte Contemporânea x Cabral Moncada”, curadoria de João Silvério
(5th June, Cavalariças Pestana Palace)
”975 Show”, Tiny Art Gallery Haia X Ostra Practice (Apr 2025)
“Contacts”, Mono Lisboa (Dec 2024)
“Corrente de Ar Vol IV.”, Beato Innovation District (Sep 2024)
“ArCo summer school exhibition”, Quinta de São Miguel (July 2024)
Interview / Podcast
Mochinga Studio “Weaving cultural realities: Maria Norton's visual journey”
On Being an Artist, “Maria Norton: Rua de São Paulo” Podcast
