Almada Negreiros

José Sobral de Almada Negreiros, artista plástico e escritor, nasceu em 1893 em São Tomé e Príncipe, onde o pai era administrador do concelho da cidade. Estudou no colégio jesuíta de Campolide, para onde entrou em 1900, aos sete anos de idade, após a morte prematura da mãe, em 1896, e a partida definitiva do pai para Paris nesse mesmo ano. Aí realizou os jornais manuscritos "República", "Mundo" e "Pátria". Após o encerramento do colégio, frequentou entre 1910 e 1911, o liceu de Coimbra, de onde passou para a Escola Nacional de Belas Artes, em Lisboa. Em 1915, integrado no grupo "Orpheu", centrou a sua polémica ideológica numa crítica cerrada a uma geração e a um país que se deixava representar por uma figura como Júlio Dantas. Mostrando se convicto de que «Portugal há de abrir os olhos um dia», lançou, em 1917, um "Ultimatum Futurista às Gerações Portuguesas do Século XX", precavendo as contra a «decadência nacional», em que a «indiferença absorveu o patriotismo».
Entre 1919 e 1920 retomou os estudos de pintura em Paris. De regresso a Lisboa, adquiriu uma serenidade bem expressa na sua afirmação de que «entre mim e a vida não há mal entendidos». Mas, em 1927, de novo desgostoso com a falta de abertura do país às novas correntes ideológicas e culturais, foi para Madrid. Aí, como já antes o fizera em Lisboa, a par da sua actividade nas artes plásticas, colaborou com a imprensa. Com o agravamento da crise económica e social espanhola, após a proclamação da República, Almada regressou a Lisboa, em Abril de 1932. À consciência nacional que Paris lhe trouxera acrescentava agora uma «consciência ibérica culturalmente definida por valores líricos de uma certa lusitaneidade». Em 1934, casou com a pintora Sara Afonso.
Almada Negreiros, conhecido como «Mestre Almada», colaborou nas revistas de vanguarda "Orpheu" (de que foi co fundador), "Contemporânea", "Athena", "Portugal Futurista" e "Sudoeste" (que dirigiu). Participou em exposições de arte, nomeadamente na I Exposição dos Humoristas Portugueses (1911), a primeira do modernismo nacional. Como artista plástico, são de realçar os seus murais na gare marítima de Lisboa, os trabalhos para a Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Fátima (mosaico e pintura) e o célebre retrato de Fernando Pessoa. Pintor do advento do cubismo, a sua actividade artística estendeu se ainda à tapeçaria, à decoração e ao bailado.
Como escritor, publicou peças de teatro ("Antes de Começar", 1919; "Pierrot e Arlequim", 1924; e "Deseja se Mulher", 1928); o romance "Nome de Guerra" (escrito em 1925, mas publicado apenas em 1938, e que é considerado um dos romances fundamentais do século XX português e o primeiro em que se manifesta já a arte modernista); os poemas "Meninos de Olhos de Gigante" (1921), "A Cena do Ódio" (escrito em 1915 durante a Revolução de Maio contra a ditadura de Pimenta de Castro e publicado apenas em 1923, que consiste numa descrição violenta do Portugal da época, em que se exprime uma dialéctica de amor ódio que seria a tónica dominante das relações do artista com a pátria), "As Quatro Manhãs" (1935) e "Começar" (1969); e uma série de textos de crítica e polémica, dispersos pelas publicações em que colaborava. De entre estes, destacam se o "Manifesto Anti Dantas" (1915), verdadeiro libelo de reacção ao ambiente cultural estagnado e academizante da época, o "Manifesto" (1916), o "Ultimatum Futurista às Gerações Portuguesas" (1917) e "A Invenção do Dia Claro" (1921), conferência sob a forma de poema. A sua obra representa uma síntese, única na sua geração, das tendências modernistas e futuristas de então, não apenas por, como artista, ser multifacetado, mas também pela sua capacidade de fusão e conjugação, nas letras e na pintura, das vertentes plástica, gráfica e poética. Almada Negreiros faleceu em 1970.
Em 1970 e 1988, foram publicadas duas edições de "Obras Completas de Almada Negreiros", comemorando a última o centenário do autor.
Artista da novidade e da provocação, em demanda de «uma pátria portuguesa do século XX», atento à busca de uma unanimidade universal e profundamente marcado pela herança e o sentido da civilização europeia, foi uma das grandes figuras da cultura portuguesa do século XX. Artisticamente activo ao longo de toda a sua vida, o seu valor foi reconhecido por inúmeros prémios.

 

 

 

 

Nadir Afonso

Arquitecto e pintor português, Nadir Afonso Rodrigues nasceu a 4 de Dezembro de 1920, em Chaves. Com 17 anos de idade matriculou-se em Arquitectura, na Escola Superior de Belas-Artes do Porto, onde acabou por se diplomar. Ainda como aluno daquela Escola, começou a expor os seus trabalhos e, até 1946, fez parte do conjunto de artistas que expunham no "Grupo dos Independentes". Adepto do paisagismo matérico, quase expressionista, onde o Norte de Portugal é o tema dominante, o pequeno óleo de 1945, Vasilhas, anunciava já o abstraccionismo geométrico a que aderiu por influência de Fernando Lanhas. Com Composição Irisada (1946) procurou obter uma síntese entre o surrealismo e o abstraccionismo.
Em 1946 viajou para França onde, na École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, estudou pintura e obteve do governo francês, por intermédio de Cândido Portinari, uma bolsa de estudo. Foi, posteriormente, colaborador do arquitecto Le Corbusier, nomeadamente no projecto da cidade de Marselha (Cité Radieuse), e utilizou durante algum tempo o atelier de Fernand Léger. Em 1952 partiu para o Brasil, onde colaborou com o arquitecto Óscar Niemeyer e em 1954 regressou a Paris, retomando, no Atelier d'Art Abstrait, o contacto com artistas orientados na procura da arte cinética como, por exempo, Vasarely, Herbin e Mortensen. A pesquisa do sentido do ritmo e a tentativa de recriar o movimento real levou-o a pintar quadros "cinéticos", frequentemente intitulados "Espacilimitado" (Espacillimité), chegando mesmo a expô-los no Salon des Réalités Nouvelles (1958). No início dos anos 60, regressado a Portugal, a sua geometria passou a sugerir espaços, geralmente citadinos. Por volta de 1965, Nadir Afonso abandona definitivamente a Arquitectura e, tomando consciência da sua falta de adaptação ao meio artístico português, isola-se, dedicando-se integralmente à criação.
Uma característica do seu trabalho é o remanuseamento das obras, que vai alterando ao longo dos anos com o seu amadurecimento teórico. As várias fases de alguns trabalhos estão fixadas no seu livro Les Mécanismes de La Création Artistique, publicado em 1970. Nadir procura, acima de tudo, "a pura harmonia", utilizando cores puras, que organiza em formas decorativas ou sequências geométricas sugerindo um ritmo ou efeitos ópticos.
A sua obra tem vindo a ser merecedora de inúmeros prémios e distinções, nomeadamente o Prémio Nacional de Pintura (1967), a representação de Portugal na Bienal de S. Paulo (1969), o Prémio Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso (1969), a atribuição da medalha de ouro da cidade de Chaves e sessões de homenagem, quer na Bienal de Cerveira (2003) quer na 2.ª Feira de Arte Contemporânea do Estoril (2004). Em 1993, foi realizado, sobre Nadir Afonso, um filme de Jorge Campos para a Radiotelevisão Portuguesa. O artista envolveu-se, juntamente com Lagoa Henriques, no projecto de painéis para o Metropolitano de Lisboa com São Sebastião e encontra-se representado em museus de cidades do mundo como Lisboa, Porto, Amarante, Rio de Janeiro, S. Paulo, Budapeste, Paris, Wurzburg e Berlim. Nadir Afonso é membro da Ordem Militar Santiago de Espada e da Academia Nacional de Belas-Artes.

www.nadirafonso.com/vida/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duy Huynh's

Duy Huynh’s poetic and contemplative acrylic paintings symbolically reflect geographical and cultural displacement. Drawing inspiration from a variety of storytellers in formats that range from music and movies to ancient folklore and comic book adventures, Duy creates his own narratives of the human condition with ethereal characters maintaining a serene, precarious balance, often in a surreal or dreamlike setting. With his figures, Duy explores motion along with emotion in order to portray not just the beauty of the human form, but also the triumph of the human spirit. Images that recur, such as boats, trains, suitcases, and anything with the ability of flight relate to travel, whether physical or spiritual.

His work creates a mood for the viewer to explore. While much of Duy’s work is deeply personal, his clever and often times humorous use of symbolism and wordplay invites the viewer to create their own storyline.

Vietnamese born Huynh's interest in art began shortly after his arrival to the States in the early eighties. With difficulties adapting to new surroundings and language, Duy took refuge in the art of comics, cartoons, and graffiti. His first art commission came in the third grade. A fellow classmate hired Duy to draw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Payment came in the form of 2 dollars and chocolate milk for the week. More importantly, he learned it was possible to make a connection through the use of a visual language. This simple experience serves as a reminder for him even today to always enjoy and maintain his childhood love.

After graduating from UNC Charlotte with a degree in painting and illustration, Duy’s main objective was to share his work with the public, hoping to garner positive feedback. He began painting murals and showing his work in a variety of public establishments, including restaurants, coffee shops, bars and music venues. He also explored the performance aspect of painting, often times collaborating with musicians and dancers to create works of art in front of an audience. Positive feedback soon came as his paintings increased in demand and several galleries around the country began to add Duy to their roster of emerging artists. In 2008, a longtime dream was realized as Duy and partner Sandy Snead opened Lark & Key Gallery and Boutique. With this new venture, Duy hopes to give back to the community that has inspired and supported him for so many years.

 

From http://www.duyhuynh.com/about-duy.php

 

Josephine Wall

From childhood Josephine has had a passion for light and colour, fantasy and visual story telling. The life of a painter was clearly her destiny! Enchanting and detailed images flow freely from her imagination in an endless cascade of ideas. Her first employment after leaving Art College was at Poole Pottery, where she painted the dynamic and boldly coloured designs of the now famous Delphis ware – very collectable and realising high prices at specialist auctions. In addition to her main love of painting, she directs her creative energies into pottery figures, sculpture and reproduction stained glass panels. She has even customised items of clothing. She lives contentedly with her husband at Wisteria Cottage' where she works in a purpose built attic studio. The walls are covered with a huge wisteria, cascading gorgeous flowers - hand painted of course. Josephine is convinced that working under the pyramid shaped roof is a source of inspirational vibes, aiding her creativity! The rest of the cottage also displays her artistic nature, a woodland scene and butterflies in the kitchen, flowers and birds on the furniture and even more wisteria on the glass doors in the living room. Even the garden doesn’t escape her touch, as she likes nothing better than to spend time designing unusual features and creating an abundance of colour, with a slight bias towards a Victorian style. She has three children ( two sons & one Daughter ) and since marrying Bob also has two Step-Daughters. At this time Josephine & Bob have 10 Grandchildren – their ages ranging from a few months to 19 years old, some of whom are already showing signs of an artistic tendency. Much of the inspiration for her mystical images comes from her close observation of nature and her interest in its preservation. Though she often strives to impart a message in her scenes, she also hopes to inspire in her audience a personal journey into the magical world of their own imagination. As with most artists Jo is often asked ‘where do you get your ideas?’ the answer is … “from anywhere and everywhere”. Jo is never short of inspiration; in fact she feels it is a race against time to produce all the images that she has conceived. Another often asked question is ‘ how long did it take to learn to paint?’ the answer is … “a lifetime”, because she has painted since she was a child and the work has evolved and matured until the current image was created. Her paintings actually take on average 2 –4 weeks depending on size and subject. Josephine works mostly with acrylic paint, which allows her to paint quickly, and to create many textured and colourful effects. She has been influenced and inspired by the illustrative talents of Arthur Rackham, the surrealism of artists such as Magritte and Salvador Dali, and the romanticism of the Pre-Raphaelites. This combined with her own imaginative ideas has led to a wide and varied range of work. “The art of painting is more than a career to me,” she says, “it is an all consuming obsession and a love of colour and form. In fact, if I am away from my easel for too long I become restless and anxious to paint again” It would seem that in these days of doom, gloom and high pressure, more people than ever are seeking the escapism of fantasy and surrealism – which is good for Jo who loves to paint such images. The more imaginative and surrealistic they are the more they are admired. In addition to an annual exhibition in London, held by the Society for Art of the Imagination to which Jo belongs, her work can be found in galleries all over the south of England, from Cornwall to Kent and rapidly gaining popularity in America. Josephine was born in Farnham, Surrey, England in 1947. Educated at Farnham and Parkstone Grammar Schools, her family moved to Poole, Dorset when she was 14. Her paintings are mainly fantasies, influenced and inspired by the illustrative talents of Arthur Rackam, the surrealism of artists such as Magritte and Dali, and the romanticism of the pre-Raphaelites, which combined with her own imaginative ideas has led to a wide and varied range of work. Josephine is also an accomplished sculptor and has created a number of unique figurines. Using natural stone found locally, various modelling materials and semi-precious stones, she creates models that once painted, challenge the viewer to find where the stone ends and the figure begins. An increasing demand for character windows, led her to experiment in this field using self adhesive lead and vitreous paint, to reproduce traditional lead-lights and many of her own designs. Due to her individualistic, textured use of acrylic medium, she has been invited to demonstrate and lecture to local art circles. Whilst her work has always covered a wide range of subjects, since moving into the world print market, she has produced works with a distinct ethnic flavour and images of many favourite stories and fables. Her fantasy work remains most popular, many containing hidden images or faces, which has become a trademark. 1967 - Following three years at Bournemouth College studying Fine Art, Josephine worked at Poole Pottery as a designer and painter of Delphis Ware (now very collectable), later modeling animals to be displayed at Harrods in London. Her pottery figures include characters from Tolkien’s "Lord of the Rings" and mythological creatures. Certain pieces of this work now form part of a book on the history of Poole Pottery. 1974 - A number of larger paintings were exhibited in Teheran and Tokyo. 1975 - Held her first solo exhibition in Swindon. 1990 - Following a period during which she brought up her three children whilst still exhibiting both locally and abroad, a second solo exhibition was held at the Mayfield Gallery in Bournemouth. Also during this year, Josephine and her paintings were the subject of a special feature on Southern Television in the UK. 1991 - Held her third solo exhibition at the Mayfield Gallery. 1993 - Following a visit to the Spring Fair in Birmingham she signed contracts with F.J.Warren based in Hitchen, England and Wizard and Genius from Switzerland to publish her work in the form of framingprints, posters and cards. These prints are distributed worldwide. 1995 - Josephine’s painting "Dance of all Seasons" was selected for the cover of W&G’s “Cheerful Joys”catalogue. 1996 - Signed a licensing agreement with Art Impressions based in Los Angeles, California, which has led to many new outlets for Josephine’s images. Many products are now produced including cards, stationery, puzzles, journals, bookplates, back to school products, mugs, needlepoint kits and posters, as well as limited edition prints. 1998 - Five original works were selected for an exhibition at London’s prestigious Mall Gallery entitled “Art of the Imagination”. Josephine has subsequently joined the circle of artists in the society of the same name, with the possibility of many more exhibitions worldwide. 1999 – Many products are now produced including cards, stationery, puzzles, journals, bookplates, back to school products, mugs, needlepoint kits and posters, as well as limited edition prints. 2004 – First exhibition at the New York Art Expo, resulting in 6 images being selected for use as Hand Embellished Limited Edition Prints for sale at auctions on board cruise ships around the world. 2005 – Exhibition at New York Art Expo at which my first book was released “The Fantasy World of Josephine Wall”. Received a nomination for the Artv Awards (like Oscars for art) which is to be held on 28th October this year at the M.G.M.Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Pop Icon Britney Spears requested the use of a number of images for use on her new website www.britneyspears.com. Britney also purchased a number of Limited Edition prints and Josephine created an original painting for her. 2006 – Leanin’ Tree requested a series of “Zodiac” images which were completed in 6 months, and have proved to be very popular. They were exhibited all together at Courtenays Fine Art Gallery in Westbourne. Seven were sold that evening , and the rest soon followed. Met Maggie & Ric Hilton who purchased the Windcliffe Manor on the Isle of Wight, and converted it to a boutique style 5 star B&B, renaming it “The Enchanted Manor” www.enchantedmanor.co.uk and basing the fantasy style décor on Jo’s work. Bought at auction the Manor was featured in the television programme Homes Under the Hammer, and displayed many of Jo’s images. 2007 – Met Dr Pat Sager at Faeriecon in Pensylvania, who offered to promote Jo’s work in the U.S.A.and Worldwide – in particular originals and Limited Edition Prints. She also set up a website to offer all Jo Wall products. She also took on responsibility for coordinating events to promote her work www.josephine-wall-imagination-art.com Following the success of her first 6 prints (total of 1200 hand embellished) on Princess Cruises ships a further 4 prints (800 hand embellished ) were chosen to be sold at auctions aboard the 29 ships of the Carnival group. In October she was asked to be Guest Artist on Oriana where she gave painting demonstrations and Q&A sessions, and exhibited 6 originals. 2008 - In March & April Jo did a tour of Georgia & Florida organised by Dr Pat Sager with exhibitions, book signings, and including the Cherry Blossom Ball in Macon. 2009 – Follow up tour of Florida with Dr Pat Sager including the Art Walk in Jacksonville. Invited to display original work at the Quay Gallery on the Isle of Wight, with other members of the ‘Society for Art of Imagination’. Invited to be guest artist at a number of Fairy events to meet fans and show work, book signing etc. Finishing touches made to biography written by Susan D. Brandenburg called “Palette of Dreams” http://www.josephinewall.co.uk

Vladimir Kush

Vladimir Kush was born in Russia, in a one-story wooden house near the Moscow forest-park Sokolniki.

At the age of seven Vladimir began to attend art school until late evening where he became acquainted with the works of great artists of the Renaissance, famous Impressionists, and Modern Artists.

Vladimir entered the Moscow Higher Art and Craft School at age 17, but a year later he was conscripted. After six months of military training the unit commander thought it more appropriate to employ him exclusively for peaceful purposes, namely, painting propagandistic posters.

After military service and graduating the Institute of Fine Arts, Vladimir painted portraits on Arbat Street to support his family during the hard times in Russia.

 

In the year 1987, Vladimir began to take part in exhibitions organized by the Union of Artists. At a show in Coburg, Germany in 1990, nearly all his displayed paintings sold and after closing the exhibition, he flew to Los Angeles where 20 of his works were exhibited and began his “American Odyssey.”

In Los Angeles, Kush worked in a small, rented home garage, but was unable to find a place to display his paintings. He earned money by drawing portraits on the Santa Monica pier and eventually was able to purchase a ticket to his “Promised Land,” Hawaii.

 

In 1993, a dealer from France noticed the originality of Kush’s work and organized an exhibition in Hong Kong. Success surpassed all expectations. In 1995, a new exhibition in Hong Kong at the Mandarin Fine Art Gallery brought more success. In 1997 he had a new start in the USA exhibiting in the galleries in Lahaina, Hawaii and in Seattle. In 2001 Kush opened his first gallery, Kush Fine Art in Lahaina, Hawaii. He now has 4 gallery locations in the USA with future plans to open more galleries around the world.

http://vladimirkush.com/biography

 

 

 

 

Segei Tyukanov

Each person has his or her own idea of the world. Picture is the window to the world of the artist, who has an opportunity to create things that are impossible in the real world. My world is the world of the metamorphosis and paradox, which are reality for me, and this reality I materialize in my works. I like to be surprised and astonished, I like to surprise and astonish myself. Creativity should inspire and arouse creativeness. I invite you to travel in the world of my fantasies. Sergey Tyukanov was born on the 17 of May 1955 ,on the island of Sakhalin, Russia. He graduated from the Khabarovsk University, Graphic Art Department - Master's Degree. Sergey has taken part in more than 200 International exhibitions. Lives and works in St-Petersburg, Russia, Montreal, Canada Works in technique of etching, painting, drawing, watercolor. The artist's artworks can be found in the collections of 19 Museums and State Galleries of World: Tretyakov’s Gallery,Moscow,Russia. Victoria and Albert Royal Museum,London,UK. Bewick Museum of Engraving,UK. Bristol Museum, Bristol,UK. Cabinet of Drawing and Prints, Pisa,Italy. Frederikshavn Museum of Ex Libris,Denmark. Graphic Cabinet of English Engraver’s Society,UK. International Institute of Humor and Satire,Gabrovo,Bulgaria. Kaliningrad Regional Museum of History and Art,Russia. Kaliningrad State Art Gallery,Russia. Malbork Castle Museum,Poland. Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Chicago,USA. Mazereal Center Ministry of Culture Belgium,Casterlee. Museum Ex Libris,Moscow,Russia. Sakima Art Museum,Okinawa,Japan. Museum of World Ocean,Kaliningrad,Russia. Portland Art Museum,Gilkey Center for the Graphic Art, Oregon,USA. Raisio State Library,Finland. Riga’s Art Museum,Latvia. Awards: 2011 First price Triennale of Graphic, St-Petersburg, Russia 1999 Destingtion the Medal-The VIII- Biennial of Small Graphic Art and Exlibrises , State Museum, Osrtow-Welkopolskii, Poland 1994 Honor Diploma-Third All-Union Biennial of Easel Graphic Art, Kaliningrad State Art Gallery, Russia 1993 International Competition: Ex Libris, Cristofor Colombo 1492-1992, City Hall, Genoa, Italy Special Mention for technique and inventiveness 1992 First Prize and Medal The II-Biennial of Graphic Arts, Kaliningrad State Art Gallery, Kaliningrad, Russia Prize for exceptional[excellent] technic and inventiveness International Competition of Ex Libris, Cristoforo Colombo: 1492-1992, , Palazzo Andrea Doria , Genova, Italy 1991 Juror’s Prize-IV Biennial of Small Graphic Art and Ex Libris, Ostrov-Wielkopolski, Poland 1989 Special Mention-Ex Libris, Torino, Italy 1987 Honor Diploma-Second Triennial of Small Forms Graphic, Central Exhibition Hall "Latvia", Riga. The last main solo exhibitions: 2012 Paintings , graphics. Gallery “Nevsky prospect” St-Petersburg, 2010 Paintings, drawings, watercolors, Intaglio prints. Curly Tales Fine Art Gallery”, Chicago, USA 2009 Paintings, drawings, watercolors, Intaglio prints. Chicory Gallery, Alkmaar, the Netherlands 2008 Paintings, drawings, watercolors, Intaglio prints. Perfect Pear Gallery, Chicago, USA 2007 Paintings, drawings, watercolors, Intaglio prints. Atlas Galleries, Chicago, USA 2007 Watercolors, Intaglio prints. Chicory Gallery, Alkmaar, the Netherlands

http://tyukanov.com