Galeria Tapeçarias de Portalegre, the gallery in Lisbon featuring fine tapestries produced by a decades-old factory in eastern Portugal, welcomes a unique new exhibition. Viagem (Voyage) showcases a unique “dialogue between tapestry and ceramics.” The exhibition runs through 1 June.
Setting the terms of the creative challenge, curator Felipa Almeida selected five existing tapestries – designed by artists Henriette Arcelin, Carlos Botelho, Cruzeiro Seixas, Emília Nadal and Menez – and asked five ceramicists to create works inspired by the famous woven pieces.
The artists, from different generations, backgrounds and nationalities, include:
Aramy Machry | Oficina Marques | Henriette Arcelin | Maria Paz | Maud Théphany
At the start of the project, the curator and the artists visited the tapestry factory in Portalegre. Here, they were immersed in the traditional meticulous weaving technique (that has not changed since the factory’s opening in 1946). They also got an up-close look at the color palettes used in their chosen tapestries, in order to translate those colors to their ceramic creation.
Photo at top: artist Henriette Arcelin with two tapestries by Cruzeiro Seixas at the Tapeçarias de Portalegre Factory and Museum.
For more information, visit the Tapeçarias de Portalegre website.
Galeria Tapeçarias de Portalegre
Rua Academia das Ciências, No. 2J
(between Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto)
Lisbon
Phone: +351 213 421 481
Email: galeria@mtportalegre.pt
Hours: Monday to Friday – 13:30 to 19:30
