A collection of works of various mediums is being showcased at Tap Seac Gallery for an exhibition entitled “Pavilion of Vila Franca de Xira: The Reinvention of The Real – Portuguese Contemporary Art in The Museum of Neo-Realism Collection”.
Curated by David Santos and José Maçãs de Carvalho and on until November 16, the exhibition is part of Art Macao’s “City Pavilion”, one of its six sections. Members of the public visiting the gallery will be able to see artworks including photographs, installations, videos and paintings, all created by a total of 14 Portuguese contemporary artists. Items related to bull-fighting are also displayed in a section of the gallery.
A statement on the Art Macao website noted that each of the works are from the Museum of Neo-Realism (Museu do Neo-Realismo) collection and were created between 1999 and 2024, with the exhibition corresponding to the theme of this year’s Art Macao theme of “Hey, what brings you here”, exploring “the critical reshaping of reality through art”.
Vila Franca de Xira is a city and municipality in Portugal’s Lisbon District located along the banks of the Tagus River, with its strong bull-fighting culture being one of the things it is known for, according to AI chatbot Poe.
Its Museum of Neo-Realism was established in 2007 and, the Art Macao statement noted, is an artistic landmark of the Iberian country that features works by prominent Portuguese artists of the 20th century.
The Art Macao website notes that one can visit the gallery daily, including public holidays, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.
*Neo-realism, particularly in the context of art and literature, refers to a cultural movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in Italy. It was characterised by a focus on everyday life and ordinary people, often depicting the struggles and realities of working-class existence. – Poe
– Photos: Rui Pastorin
