The 25 paintings and 10 sculptures put forth a unified, powerful theme
A new art exhibition at the Portimão Museum delves into the ocean depths, in the blueness of our world. Entitled “Planeta Azul – Blue Planet”, this show is a collaboration of 13 members of the Algarve Artists Network, a 20-year-old group representing artists of many nationalities and artistic styles.
“This project follows the desire of our artists to highlight the beauty of the Algarve,” says painter BJ Boulter. “What’s more crucial, however, we want to remind everyone about the importance of our lakes, rivers, beaches, and oceans. All living beings on earth depend on clean water. Water is life!”
These 25 paintings and 10 sculptures, all very different, put forth a unified, powerful theme. They are a testament to the limitless imagination of an artist’s mind, especially when they are asked to communicate something so universal and compelling as the existence of our planet. Yet, amidst the strength of a message so important, there is often a soft subtlety that only sensitive creators can conjure.
Artist João Pinto is a professional biologist in the Algarve. He painted a series of four landscapes that could be described as colorful abstract realism. “As a biologist, I have a passion for painting ecosystems that display a wide biodiversity,” said Pinto. “In the media, we hear many different things about the environment, much of it is not accurate. I hope people will listen to the scientists who study the earth and know the truth of what is out there.”
As I soaked in the beauty of the artwork, it felt really good to think about the expression of something meaningful beyond the art itself. Perhaps it represents a form of worship. What better being is there to worship than our planet Earth? Our home, our mother, our father, our sustenance and survival.
Vera Christians is the key member of the Algarve Artists Network who organized and curated the exhibition. “We had an exciting idea for an art exhibition about the earth and the water. We proposed the project to Dr. José Gameiro, the scientific director of the Portimão Museum,” Christians recalled. “He loved the idea and planned it for a three-month period during summer prime time. He and his staff are wonderful, caring people.”
Vera recalls the constant communications with her group of artists. “There were hundreds of emails, phone calls, and meetings. Coordinating a large group is a lot of work, but we all challenged each other to do our very best art. It’s great to see it completed and, as a group, make a strong statement to the world!”
The members of the Algarve Artists Network who created the artwork in this exhibition are: Beata Palach, Birte Pröttel, BJ Boulter, Brigitte von Humboldt, Claire Lloyd-Brown, João Pinto, Jutta Mertens-Kammler, Kerstin Wagner, Lotti Klink, Rosa Pereira, Silvia Cavelti, Thea Booijink, and Vera Christians.
“Planeta Azul – Blue Planet” will be on display at the Portimão Museum until September 28
Museum hours: July 15 to August 31, Tuesday to Sunday (2pm-10pm); September 1 to September 28, Tuesday (2.30pm-6pm), Wednesday to Sunday (10am-6pm); Closed Mondays and National Holidays; Sunday – Free entry for residents in national territory.
