Mamam, the Museum of Modern Art Aloísio Magalhães, presents temporary exhibitions of Brazilian contemporary art in a mid-19th-century mansion on Rua da Aurora in Recife. Its collection includes paintings by Alex Flemming, João Câmara and Francisco Brennand, and a tile panel by Aloísio de Magalhães welcomes you at the entrance. The building has served as the headquarters of Recife International Club and Recife City Hall. Admission is free, and the museum’s education team can add context to your visit.
A mansion with several chapters
Mamam occupies a building constructed in the mid-19th century as the headquarters of Recife International Club. From the 1930s to the 1960s, it housed Recife City Hall.
The building became an art space in 1981, when the Recife Metropolitan Art Gallery was established there. It was renamed the Aloísio Magalhães Metropolitan Art Gallery in 1982, in honour of the Pernambuco artist, designer and cultural manager who died that year. In 1997, the house was renovated and formally turned into a museum.
Art inside and at the entrance
The museum presents temporary exhibitions of national contemporary art. Its collection includes 900 works, among them paintings by Alex Flemming, João Câmara and Francisco Brennand.
Before entering, look at the tile panel signed by Recife artist Aloísio de Magalhães, whose name the museum bears. The collection is not large, so the building and its art make for a focused visit rather than a full-day museum itinerary.
Planning your visit
Check Mamam’s Instagram before setting out to find information on current exhibitions. The museum’s education team can help you engage with the displays. Admission is free.
Mamam is on Rua da Aurora, in Boa Vista. The entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible, and the museum is family-friendly. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Perguntas frequentes
Is admission to Mamam free?
Yes, admission is free.
What can you see at Mamam?
The museum has temporary exhibitions of national contemporary art, a collection that includes paintings by Alex Flemming, João Câmara and Francisco Brennand, and an entrance tile panel by Aloísio de Magalhães.
Where is Mamam in Recife?
It is at Rua da Aurora, 265, in Boa Vista.
Is Mamam wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible.
