‘The Shapes of the Ocean,’ curated section of ARCOlisboa 2024, also presents African Arty (Africa), Coletivo Amarelo (Portugal), Karla Osorio, and NONADA (Brazil), on display until May 26th.
African Arty brings Houda Terjuman, Dieudonne Djiela Kamkang and Amadou Opa Bathily to ARCOlisboa. Houda Terjuman, a Moroccan artist, creates ethereal sculptures and paintings that explore themes of migration, exile, and identity. Her artworks act as vessels of hope and cultural bridges, symbolizing both a connection to one’s roots and the fostering of empathy towards the unfamiliar.
Dieudonné Djiela Kamkang, a master’s degree holder from Beaux-Arts University in Douala, focuses on youth and historical awareness in his art. His work emphasizes the importance of traditional culture in shaping present and future developments, drawing on the Sankofa principle, an Ashanti philosophy.
Amadou Opa Bathily, a graduate of the National Institute of Arts and the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia Balla Fasséké Kouyaté, is known for his dynamic energy and exceptional skill in handling tough materials. His artistic practice includes painting, sculpture, and installation.
Coletivo Amarelo, from Portugal, presents Juliana Matsumura and Osias Andre. Juliana Matsumura, born in 1993 in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, is a renowned artist based in Lisbon. She holds a degree in Design, Textiles and Fashion, and Arts and Humanities. Matsumura has exhibited her work at various venues, including Atelier Concorde, Casarão do Chá, and DUPLEX AIR. In 2022, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation supported her residency project.
Osias Andre, a Mozambican artist, moved to Portugal and received scholarships from Ar.Co, an independent art school. He began his artistic journey at age 8 with graphic illustration, eventually transitioning to painting. His artwork features bodies, flowers, and abstract shapes, challenging traditional gender roles and presenting figures whose identities transcend conventional gender roles. He now lives and creates in Lisbon.
Karla Osorio introduces Matheus Marques Abu and Moisés Patrício. Matheus Marques Abu, born in 1997, is a self-taught artist from Brazil who explores themes of ancestry, spirituality, and the African diaspora. Influenced by the Rio de Janeiro rap scene, Abu collaborates with artists like Panmela Castro and Tomaz Viana. His art challenges Eurocentric views and subverts traditional narratives, highlighting an alternative perspective on colonial history.
Moisés Patrício, born in 1984 in São Paulo, is a visual artist who began his artistic journey at nine. Drawing on Latin, Afro-Brazilian, and African cultural elements, he has participated in collaborative projects since 2006. Patrício’s artwork often incorporates sacred themes from Amerindian and Afro-Brazilian traditions, particularly candomblé.
NONADA displays Manuel Messias’ art creations. Manuel Messias, born in 1945, was a Brazilian artist who studied under Ivan Serpa at MAM-Rio in the 1960s. His early works showcased an expressionist style influenced by German expressionists, Brazilian printmakers, cordel, and comics. He worked in an advertising agency in the 1960s, shaping his synthetic artistic language. Messias’ life was marked by poverty, social crises, and mental health issues, leading to homelessness in the 1990s. His art often reflects social inequality, racism, and marginalization.
Sources: African Arty, Coletivo Amarelo, Karla Osorio, Danielian Galeria
