After nearly 50 years in Brazil, Olivier Anquier is opening a space that is both a personal tribute and an invitation to the city: the Anquier Archive. Located at Praça da República, the chef’s new gallery has just opened its doors—and admission is free!
The inaugural exhibition, “Olivier’s Diary: 20 Years Discovering Brazil,” reveals a little-known side of the chef: his work as a photographer. His passion for photography began in childhood, through the cameras of his father, Dr. François Anquier. Over time, photography became a recurring hobby, especially behind the scenes of his TV show.
Now, the chef is presenting to the public the photographs he took during his travels throughout the country. This is the first time his photos have left the archives to take their place on the walls of an exhibition in São Paulo!
A new facet of Olivier Anquier
Even before opening the space, Olivier Anquier had already gained artistic recognition. Galeria Carcará, in Bela Vista, invited the chef to be featured in issue No. 46 of C magazine, a publication dedicated to Brazilian fine art photography. It’s his first official work as a photographer, a preview of what the public will be able to see in “Olivier’s Diary: 20 Years Discovering Brazil.”
At the end of the exhibition, his entire collection will be sold at both an in-person and online auction. In fact, the green Volkswagen Beetle that became a symbol of the show will have a very special destination! Part of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicle will go to Missão Belém, a religious organization that assists and rehabilitates people in vulnerable situations and struggling with substance abuse in downtown São Paulo.
The Anquier Archive and the Commitment to Revitalizing Downtown
In addition to making culture accessible to all, the Arquivo Anquier was created with an urban mission in mind. A resident of Praça da República for 20 years, the chef and entrepreneur advocates for the importance of revitalizing the area.
For Anquier, investing in this area means investing in community: “The Center shouldn’t be just another bubble in the city of São Paulo, but rather the union of all the bubbles, ” he says. Thanks to this commitment, he received the Title of Citizen of São Paulo in 2024 and the City of São Paulo Award in 2025.
In addition to exhibitions, this new cultural hub in downtown São Paulo promises to host cultural experiences and activities. Thus, Olivier Anquier’s gallery emerges as the perfect place to (re)discover downtown on foot and experience São Paulo’s culture!
Where: Praça da República, 36 (store 1) – República
Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: Free
More information: Check out the official social media accounts of Olivier Anquier and the Anquier Archive
