EXHIBITION JOSÉ AURÉLIO - I Bienal Internacional de Joalharia Contemporânea de Lisboa

EXHIBITION

oitavas da oficina

JOSÉ AURÉLIO: JEWELLERY

Anthological exhibition of the jewellery work by the sculptor José Aurélio developed since 1950s

Curated by Laura Castro

Exhibition design by Filipe Alarcão

Graphic design by Ana Teresa Ascensão

Opening

29 July, Thursday

Until September 22, Wednesday

From Monday to Saturday 10h–19h

Guided tour by the curator and the artist

30 July, Saturday

15h-16h

19 September, Sunday

11h–12h

Finissage

22 September, Wednesday

18h–20h

Launch of the exhibition catalogue

23 October, Saturday

17h30-18h30

Conversation with Bárbara Coutinho, Cristina filipe, Laura Castro and José Aurélio

Invitation (pdf)

Galeria Pintor Fernando de Azevedo

Sociedade Nacional de Belas-Artes

JOSÉ AURÉLIO's sculptural work is of great relevance and longevity, assuming particular prominence in the public space. In parallel, his jewellery work was developed in close affinity with his remaining work, as a manifestation of his relationships and memories of love and even as a reflection of his political position. José Aurélio started his first experiences in jewelery at the SECLA Studio, in Caldas da Rainha, from 1958. Jewelery has become a constant in his life until today, in a production of more than 60 years. Created in the most diverse materials (enamelled and glazed ceramics, gold, silver, lead, plastic, coral, pre-existing elements), his pieces are distinguished by their expressiveness and symbolism. Bárbara Coutinho (MUDE)

Partnership MUDE–Museu do Design e da Moda, Sociedade Nacional de Belas-Artes

and PIN–Associação Portuguesa de Joalharia Contemporânea.

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SCULPTURE, particularly sculpture in public space, is the most recognized area of José Aurélio's work. However, the creation of jewellery runs throughout his artistic career. Since the late 1950's, when he made experiments with ceramics at Estúdio SECLA, in Caldas da Rainha he has dedicated himself to jewellery.

This exhibition presents a wide choice of pieces that conveys the diversity and scope of José Aurélio's work as a jewellery creator. Such choice, which also enhances the affinities between jewellery and sculpture, corresponds to a work that does not develop in a linear chronology nor in the codes and conventions of jewellery.

Based on the materialization of affective ties, on the association with personal memories and remarkable political moments, the pieces are more than objects dedicated by the artist to specific recipients and episodes. They embody a creative process in a pure state and a set of historical references in which we recognize signs from the second half of the 20th century to the present day.

No material, no manufacturing process, no form or suggestion of form are unknown to José Aurélio. The findings and the fortuitous, the appropriation and the transformation, the use of noble and poor materials, the knowledge and the artisanal reinvention, the use of techniques between archaism and erudition make it difficult to classify his work.

The passion for the crafting and for the processes of experimentation explains the title of this exhibition – oitavas de oficina [studio octaves] – which is also the title of a poem from Portuguese poet Vasco da Graça Moura about the sculptor’s creative universe. Laura Castro (Curator)

LAURA CASTRO has a PhD in Art and Design from the University of Porto – Faculty of Fine Arts (2010) and Master in Art History from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa – Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (1993). Since April 19 she is director of the Regional Directorate of Culture of the North. Professor at the School of Arts at the Catholic University of Portugal, of which she was dean between 2013 and 2017, and researcher at the Research Center in Science and Technology of the Arts. Between the early 1990s and 2006, she worked in the cultural sector. She publishes regularly on art, heritage, and museums. She is a member of APHA (Portuguese Association of Art Historians) and AICA (International Association of Art Critics). Was chair of the board of Círculo de Cultura Teatral/Teatro Experimental do Porto between 2015 and 2021.