From Backyard Gatherings to Global Art Embassies: The Mendes Wood DM Mosaic

A São Paulo gallery that began as a circle of friends has quietly redrawn the map of contemporary art. Mendes Wood DM’s founders—Pedro Mendes, Matthew Wood, and Felipe Dmab—never set out to build a business empire. Instead, their journey started with impromptu salons, where philosophy and art mingled over coffee and conversation. Their first residency, Ja.Ca, was a rural haven for conceptual artists in Minas Gerais, Brazil, long before the gallery had a formal address. Rather than following a rigid business plan, the trio let intuition and camaraderie guide them, championing artists like Sônia Gomes, Paulo Nazareth, and Lucas Arruda—names now central to the gallery’s identity. Mendes Wood DM’s approach is as Brazilian as it is international, reflecting the country’s vibrant mix of cultures. They broke ground by representing living Afro-Brazilian artists and expanding to Brussels, New York, and Paris, treating each new space as a cultural “embassy.” What began as a thread of affection now weaves a global tapestry—proof that friendship can be the most surprising business strategy of all. #BrazilianArt #ContemporaryGallery #ArtWorld #Culture