Hélio Oiticica was born in 1937 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began his career as a painter, but soon became a central participant in the Neo-Concrete Movement, which sought to imbue geometric abstraction with sensory and emotional experience. His early experiments with color and space led to his first breakthrough: the Parangolés, wearable fabric sculptures that actively engage the viewer.

Oiticica's practice encompasses painting, sculpture, performance, and writing. His later work, which he termed 'environmental art,' includes immersive installations like Tropicália and the Penetrables—maze-like structures designed for bodily participation. Among these, Magic Square #3 (1978) is a notable architectural labyrinth of brightly colored walls. Oiticica's work consistently explores color, interactivity, and the transformation of the spectator into a participant.

Though he died in 1980, Oiticica's influence endures. In 2026, the Goodwood Art Foundation unveiled the first outdoor installation of his work in Europe, a reconstruction of Magic Square #3, and his work continues to be exhibited internationally, including at Lisson Gallery's presentation at Art Basel 2026.