Bispo do Rosário’s life took a significant turn when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the 1930s. His mental health challenges led him to be institutionalized in several psychiatric hospitals over the years. Bispo do Rosário started making intricate and detailed assemblages, sculptures, and textile works while living in mental health facilities. He used an eclectic array of materials found in the hospital environments, including clothing scraps, discarded objects, paper, and wood. His works often depicted religious symbols, figures, and personal memories. Bispo do Rosário developed a profound artistic and philosophical concept known as “The Kingdom of God.”
Through his art, he aimed to encapsulate his perceptions of the world, time, and his own identity. Bispo do Rosário’s extraordinary creations went largely unnoticed by the art world until the 1980s when his works were discovered by social anthropologist Hugo Denizart. Denizart recognized the depth and significance of Bispo’s art, leading to the artist’s inclusion in exhibitions and the acknowledgment of his unique artistic vision. His works have been displayed in major museums and galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Venice Biennale. Bispo do Rosário’s legacy has transcended the boundaries of outsider art, capturing the attention of art enthusiasts, scholars, and collectors interested in the intersection of mental health, creativity, and artistic expression.