5th edition of the Gaia International Art Biennial
starts on April 8th at Quinta da Fiação
The 5th edition of the Gaia International Art Biennial starts on the 8th of April and, until the 8th of July, takes 20 exhibitions to Quinta da Fiação, in Lever, bringing together more than 300 artists of various nationalities to stir awareness in a “Biennale of Causes” which this year honors Carlos Carreiro and João Jacinto.
Directed by Agostinho Santos and supported by the Gaia City Council, the Gaia International Art Biennial reinforces decentralization in a plan to recover industrial areas, occupying two pavilions of the former Companhia de Fiação de Crestuma over an area of 6,000 m2 of exposure.
Africa: continent invited to show origins through art
The collective exhibition of the Manoeuvre Project is curated by Jorge Salgueiro and brings together great names in art such as Alberto Chissano, Gonçalo Mabunda, Kheto Lualuali, Lulu Maparangue, Malangatana, Mapfara, Nino Trindade, Reinata Sadimba, Samuel Muankongue and Simbraz, whose common denominator is Africa – the guest continent of the 2023 edition.
In a dedicated pavilion, the Gaia International Art Biennial hosts an exhibition of different perspectives that mark the artistic paths of the initiatory continent of human history, where it includes painting and sculpture workshops that, permanently, bring together Portuguese and African artists for joint creation of new expressions.
50 years of the 25th of April: anticipation by the hand of Álvaro Cunhal
In the year that precedes the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April, the exhibition “Desenhos da Prisão” takes to Vila Nova de Gaia a set of 18 works created between 1951 and 1959 by Álvaro Cunhal in the jails of the Lisbon Penitentiary, where he spent seven years of strict isolation, and the Fort of Peniche, from which he escaped on January 3, 1960.
At the same time, “Revolution – 50 years, 50 artists” is a collective exhibition of painting, sculpture, and drawing that brings together names such as Rui Ferro, Norberto Jorge, Henrique do Vale, Isabel Lhano, Fernanda Vilas Boas, Diogo Goes, Manuela Bronze, among others. , to address the revolutionary moment that marked the History of Democracy, curated by Ilda Figueiredo.
A Biennial of Causes that addresses mental health and integration
“Manicómio” is a pioneering project in the promotion of works by artists with experience of mental illness, which takes to the 5th edition of the Bienal Internacional de Arte Gaia about a hundred works by Claúdia R. Sampaio, Joana Ramalho, and Micaela Fikoff to show different looks at reality.
Curated by Sandro Resende, project mentor, the collective exhibition “From the waist up I am sad and from there down a beach” reinforces the commitment of the Biennial of Causes at a time when mental health is a theme that cuts across society.
Collective and individual exhibitions to show painting, sculpture, drawing and photography
In the total of two dozen exhibitions that make up the 2023 edition, more than half are individual signed by renowned artists such as Nazaré Álvares (“A Guerra do Nunca”, curated by Valter Hugo Mãe), Rui da Graça, Sérgio Jacques, Luís Silveirinha , Onofre Varela (“Cartoon s/social issues”, curated by Marisa Silva), Avelino Rocha (“The Memories of Africa”, curated by Manuela Sampaio), Bruno Marques (“Sagrado Adentro”, curated by Zulmiro de Carvalho ), Cristina Ataíde, Eurico Gonçalves (curated by Dalila D’Alte Rodrigues), Isabel Cabral and Rodrigo Cabral (curated by Emílio Remelhe) and Mário Américo.
The exhibition of guest artists, curated by Agostinho Santos, features works by Albuquerque Mendes, Nadir Afonso, Valter Hugo Mãe, Paulo Neves, Luzia Lage, Balbina Mendes, Dalila D’Alte or António Macedo, among others, and, as usual, the International Competition gives rise to a collective exhibition of 38 works selected among more than 250 participants from various countries.
From Vila Nova de Gaia to the rest of the country and Galicia
The cultural current created by Artistas de Gaia – Cooperativa Cultural extends to 14 poles located in different cities, from north to south of the country, in Madeira Island and in Galicia: Alfândega da Fé, Amarante, Esposende, Gondomar, Lisbon, Mirandela, Oliveira do Hospital, Paços de Ferreira, Paredes, Paredes de Coura, Peso da Régua, Viana do Castelo, Vila Praia de Âncora, Funchal and Ferrol (Galicia) host different exhibitions that celebrate established artists and emerging talents in each location.
The 5th edition of the Gaia International Art Biennial also includes two exhibitions developed in partnership with the University of Porto, which materialize in the Biodiversity Gallery – Centro de Ciência Viva, where artists and scientists meet in an approach to show talent and welcome the community school, and at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, where a group of artists approaches the facial structure from different angles.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, tickets place of sale, price, and availability.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok and see the exclusive content for social networks.
