Art Expo Algarve is back, and better than ever, between September 27-29
Since the dawn of humanity, there has been art. Something drives the human spirit to create images that reflect ourselves and life around us.
We strive to use our gift of imagination to shape the world. In ancient times, as today, there was painting, sculpture, music, dance, and theatre. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Moors, and many other civilizations contributed indelible artistry to the amalgam of the visual world. These expressions of the human spirit were created by individuals, in person, live, and one at a time. Today, we have mass distribution with so much online media like Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, Netflix; need I go on? Images are instantly consumed worldwide. In fact, we are so inundated with media, images are literally flashing in front of us at the speed of light. Hey, we don’t really need artists anymore, because artificial intelligence can manufacture “art” without human interference. Andy Warhol once claimed, “Art is what you can get away with.” Well, are we lost in a world where art is arbitrary and random, without soul or beauty?
Thankfully, in the human spirit, there will always be a passion to create art. If you want to see many expressions of beauty by today’s artists, many of whom live in the Algarve, you will be dazzled by a major creative event called the Art Expo Algarve. In its third year, the Expo unfolds at the Portimão Arena, September 27, 28, and 29. More than 130 artists will bring their best paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and other artforms for you to enjoy. The sheer expanse and variety is profoundly entertaining. There are also workshops and presentations.
Admission is free of charge. It’s an experience, so just come for the fun of it!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and each of us has different taste in art. It’s a very personal experience. Some of us want to look at a soft, serene image that emanates calmness. Others want to make a powerful statement with content that evokes surprise or even shock. The surface can have tactile texture, or be smooth and matte, or glassy; and size, color, style, subject-matter, and framing all have an effect. In the end, your decision to surround yourself with art will rest on the feeling of it. It should come from your emotional self. Your gut. I am fascinated by the intense motivation that fuels artists in their quest to create beauty and human expression. So, I talked to a few artists who will be showing their work at the Art Expo Algarve, and I will share with you some insight into their minds and their lives.
Artist Dana Georgescu creates delicate sculptural montages using seashells. She has developed her own style and each piece is unique and different from the one before. For Dana, “shell art” started as a hobby, but as she explored her excitement with it, her approach became more determined and skilled. “It makes me happy seeing that my shell pieces will awaken curiosity. People are intrigued by them. It feels good to bring a little more beauty into the world.”
Dana told me about her past. “I was born by the sea, with my childhood memories of the sound of waves, and exploring the hidden treasures of seashells.” After a career in teaching and then working on cruise liners that traveled the oceans, Dana found her home on the beautiful Portuguese coast. “This year, I made the decision to stop having another job, and dedicate all my time and energy on evolving, improving my skills, and creating more and more art.” Dana looks forward to exhibiting her seashell pieces at Art Expo Algarve. “Meeting visitors and other artists makes me understand how my art makes people feel. It helps me learn and grow as an artist and a person.”
Viktoria Ganhão is an artist who paints exuberant, colorful, and sweeping compositions with movement and excitement. “I love what I do. People who have my paintings tell me that my work brings beauty, harmony, a feeling of happiness, and positivity.” I asked Viktoria what inspires her paintings. “My inspiration is a diverse and ever-changing landscape. It could be the thrill of starting a new canvas, the alchemy of choosing and applying paint, or the emotions stirred by the natural world and my travels. Inspiration can strike from anywhere, and that’s why I feel fresh and excited about my work.”
Viktoria has exhibited in art fairs in eight European cities, including London, Paris, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Florence, Frankfurt/Cologne, Marbella, Spain, and of course, Portimão. In fact, she will be exhibiting her paintings for the third time at the Art Expo Algarve in Portimão.
“Art Expo Algarve is an international art fair with talented artists from all over the world; it is an amazing opportunity to meet them, speak with them, and see and learn something new and different in just one place during fair days. It is also a chance to have the attention of art galleries, art dealers, interior designers, and real estate professionals. You can sell your artwork directly to a collector or receive an art commission at the fair. In my experience, I have sold to people who visited my stand during the fair, purchased paintings a few months later, and became my regular clients. I am really looking forward to it; participation in Art Fairs is a great experience and a source of new ideas.”
Photographer Miguel Titeca will be exhibiting his ethereal, abstract, fine art photographs for the first time at Art Expo Algarve. He currently offers prints of his work online through his website. “At the art expo, I’m looking forward to connecting with people in real-time. There’s something about face-to-face interactions that you just can’t replicate online. It’s a chance to discuss my work, hear what others think, and have meaningful conversations about art. These interactions are key to understanding how my photography resonates with others. I’m hoping to build lasting connections with art lovers and other artists.”
Miguel makes his living creating high fashion lifestyle, action/sports, and aquatic photography. His powerful style transforms the subject matter into dreamlike visions. “I chose photography as my art because it feels like the most natural way to express my thoughts and emotions. Through my lens, I share a fantasy and sometimes a melancholic view of the world, inviting others to see things through my eyes, capturing the layers of emotion and detail that make each moment unique. Moving forward, I’m excited to blend photography and painting, merging these two forms to create something that resonates on a deeper level.”
John Ganhão, the founder of Art Expo Algarve, told me, “We began in 2019 to create a platform for international artists to exhibit to a larger audience in the Algarve and South of Portugal. I have dealt with many exhibitions for the past 16 years. I’m not an artist, but I am married to one. I became aware of the difficulties artists encounter in showcasing their artworks. I decided to create opportunities for such events to happen. First, I created Art Expo Algarve, now in it’s 3rd edition. More recently, we started a project called Vision Art Fair, which organizes exhibitions in Lisbon, Marbella and Silves.”
So, for an experience you will leave talking about, perhaps even with an original piece of art, go see Art Expo Algarve, September 27 -29. Free entrance and parking. And by the way, if you are there, please stop by and say hello. I will be one of the artists, with my photographs on exhibit.
https://www.artexpoalgarve.com/
By Eric Roth
