Arriving in Rio de Janeiro in 1958, he studied with Oswaldo Goeldi at the National School of Fine Arts. He had an exhibition at the Relevo Gallery in 1964, the year he won exemption from the jury at the National Salon of Modern Art. An avant-garde artist, he established himself internationally as one of the most important names of his generation. From the 1960s onwards, he alternated his time between Brazil and Europe, where he also regularly exhibited his work. His most recent exhibitions include: in 1999, Centro de Arte Moderna da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (retrospective), Lisbon, and Galerie Walter Storms, Munich; in 2000, Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia and Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Curitiba (PR); in 2001, Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo. He has participated extensively in group shows and biennials (he has taken part in the São Paulo Biennial several times since 1981).