Portas Vilaseca Galeria is pleased to present at the 10th edition of 1-54 London Contemporary African Art Fair a selection of new works by artists Ayrson Heráclito, Mulambö and Pedro Neves.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in London, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair will host, from 13 – 16 October at Somerset House, 50 international exhibitors across 21 countries – 16 galleries are from the African continent, and 14 galleries will participate at the fair’s London edition for the first time.
New and returning exhibitors will present over 130 artists working across an array of mediums from painting and sculpture to mixed media and installation. Works from established artists such as Ibrahim El-Salahi, Hassan Hajjaj, and Zanele Muholi to young and emerging artists including Sola Olulode and Pedro Neves will be on view.
1-54 London 2022 will be accompanied by a range of special projects and events, in addition to 1-54 Forum, the fair’s multi-disciplinary programme of talks, screenings, performances, workshops, and readings which will be curated by Dr Omar Kholeif. In collaboration with Somerset House, interdisciplinary Lisbon-based artist Grada Kilomba will bring her critically acclaimed installation O Barco / The Boat to Somerset House’s courtyard from 29 September – 19 October 2022.
Click HERE to download the full preview PDF.
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INFO
PORTAS VILASECA GALERIA AT 1-54 LONDON 2022
Booth: S07 – South Wing
VIP preview 11:00 – 18:00 Thursday 13 October
Public opening hours
10:00 – 19:00 Friday 14 October
10:00 – 19:00 Saturday 15 October
10:00 – 19:00 Sunday 16 October
Location
Somerset House | Strand, London WC2R 1LA | United Kingdom
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SELECTED ARTISTS AND WORKS
Ayrson Heráclito – Série “Juntó”
The work of Ayrson Heráclito emerges from the idea of sacredness expressed in the rituals and symbolism of Candomblé, an African diasporic religion that incorporates different spiritual influences and traditions from several West African territories. His practice is moved by the cosmologies of the orishas, especially from the Jeje-nagô tradition. Heráclito often draws on the performative aspects of the trance, of magical actions that evoke, purify and reorganize the energies, histories and memories of black heritage and colonial violence. The series “Juntó” incorporates insignia and tools related to the pantheon of Candomblé deities and is a tribute to the Bahia-born sculptor, Candomblé priest and writer Mestre Didi (1917 – 2013). “Orishas” are spirits sent by the supreme creator (Olorun) to assist humanity and to teach them to be successful on Ayé (Earth). Each person is guided by at least two orishas and the word “juntó” refers to the second (or the auxiliary) orisha, responsible for our balance and for accompanying the main orishas that rule our heads. The series comprises watercolors, drawings and sculptures, combining symbols associated with the ruling orisha and their “juntó”. At 1-54 London, Ayrson Heráclito presents two new works from this series – the watercolour “Oxé com Eruquerê” and the sculpture “Xaxará com Abebé“.
Mulambö – Série “O Navio Negreiro” [ THE SLAVE SHIP ]
The series “O Navio Negreiro” [ The Slave Ship ] brings together a selection of new paintings on paper by Brazilian artist Mulambö. These works are the original pieces especially developed by the artist for the publication of the same name, re-launched in 2022 by Brazilian publisher Antofágica. This special edition of “O Navio Negreiro” has been conceived in conjunction with Mulambö’s art works and Oga Mendonça’s design, in order to offer a visual reading experience. At 1-54 London, the original paintings have been organized individually, in diptychs, triptychs or polyptychs and will be displayed in a custom made acrylic frame. “O Navio Negreiro” is a dramatic epic poem written in 1868 by Castro Alves, one of the greatest names of Brazilian romanticism. The poem is considered an important anti-slavery manifesto, as it denounces the slave trade, 18 years after the practice was banned in the country. Alves’ poetry narrates images that confront the collective consciousness of his time, created by the colonial system, and it also brings to the fore his nonconformist vision of the “status of bitterness“, shaped by the surreal experience of the blacks in a white world.
Pedro Neves – New paintings
The artist from Minas Gerais presents at 1-54 London 2022 his latest production in painting. The two “Untitled” works deal with the relationship between man and nature and the supernatural issues that surround us. According to Neves, our world is also inhabited by beings who are not visible to the eyes of “urban people”. However, many people build another relationship with this supernatural side; for some, the presence of beings from the forests, water, fire, etc., is part of their everyday life. They are figures present in the collective consciousness of children, men, women and the elderly. Enchanted beings that walk the streets in the eyes of those who intend to see.
The works “Guerreiro” [ Warrior ] and “Caçador e Caça” [ Hunter and Hunting ] play with images of violence existing in the popular imagination that permeates journalism with a sensationalist appeal. Neves explores scenes inspired by masks, props, photographic poses, colors and expressions present in popular traditions, reinventing the place of violence within a state of playfulness. And finally, the work “Castigo” [ Punishment ] is a reflection on public education and how the teaching experience is constructed. Much of what is learned is founded on the fear of punishment – a social scheme that spreads throughout people’s daily lives.