In 1971, Placido Guimaraes, or ‘Pocho’ as he is often called, moved to Spain and afterwards the Soviet Union, where he graduated from his studies in architecture. After returning to Spain, he studied visual arts at the University of Valencia. In the 1980s, Guimaraes started his artistic career, specialising in textiles and working with different forms of expression such as theatre, dance and film. After this extended stay in Europe, he returned to Equatorial Guinea to rediscover his roots.

Currently, Guimaraes undertakes his artistic activities in his workshop and works regularly with the cultural centres in Malabo, the Institut Culturel d’Expression Française (ICEF) and the Association of Equatorial Guinean Artists. In 2012, Guimaraes participated in the FNB Joburg Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa.