Gallery hopping in Lisbon's Chiado

These art galleries in the dynamic area of Chiado are affirming themselves more and more as art dealers for both national and international clients. Today, the galleries’ metier not only has a wide knowledge of art, but also a business outlook to what the gallery exposes. The galleries invest greatly on the artist they decide to exhibit and represent. One of the greatest focus is to promote young and contemporary Portuguese artists who are becoming increasingly recognised all over the world. 

Every month, or month and a half, the gallery will change its exhibition. Around Chiado, an already rich area for those who enjoy a visit to a great modern art or design exhibition, such as the ones in MUDE or Museu do Chiado, the galleries add a great value to the cultural centre of the area.

Some galleries distinguish themselves for their architecture, others due to the art they decide to exhibit. If you are staying at the CS Vintage Lisboa Hotel or the Chiado Hotel, all galleries are walking distance from one another. An afternoon spent in between paintings, sculptures and installations around one of the most eclectic centres in Lisbon, is definitely and experience to remember.


Alecrim 50:

This is one of the most prestigious and well-known galleries in Lisbon. Its main focus is the young modern artists who present original and innovative art, in various media including painting, sculpture, installation, drawing and photography. The directors, since the galleries opening in 2006, are Pilar Norton dos Reis and Alexandra Serôdio Gomes.
At present, the gallery is exhibiting “Stag Night” by Bela Silva. The lisbon-born artist presents her most recent pieces using different media and techniques, namely, drawings, ceramics and gouaches. Bela Silva explores Hunting as a theme, with the title of both her works and the exhibition taken from moments in everyday life.


Allarts Gallery

The full name of this gallery: Allarts Gallery - Lisbon International Gallery of Naif and Figurative Art, explains its main focus. Established early this year, May 2009, it wants to promote Naif and Figurative Art in Portugal. This colourful and spontaneous form of art came about in the late 19th Century with famous artists such as Picasso and Paul Gauguin and is known as “the art that is free of conventions”.

Currently you may visit the exhibition entitled “The choices of Maria Elisa Domingues” Special Edition. Maria Elisa Domingues is a distinguished Portuguese journalist, who has always dedicated a great deal of attention to culture and the arts. Maria Elis Domingues has stood-out due to her defence of genuine and individual cultural movements, including galleries such as Allarts for its promotion of new talents.


São Francisco Gallery and Galveias Gallery

São Francisco:

Galveias:

Since 1969, this gallery opened its doors by the artist Peniche Galveias. It was one of the first independent galleries that opened doors to young artists at a time when these initiatives were lacking. It helped promote, after over thirty years of censorship and oppression under the Portuguese dictator, Salazar, art as a cultural and aesthetic manifestation. The gallery’s revolutionary approach continued, as it was one of the first to exhibit prints together with painting and sculpture. In 1975, Peniche Galveias’ wife took over the gallery following the artists death.
In the year 2000, the Galveias Gallery was opened under the same directors and also focuses on the same objectives as the São Francisco Gallery.

In the Galveias Gallery you may visit Pedro Castanheira’s latest oil paintings.



João Esteves Oliveira Gallery

This gallery opened its doors in October 2002. It focuses on the promotion and negotiation of contemporary art works on paper. The director of the gallery, João Esteves Oliveira gives it its name. Júlio Pomar and Pedro Cabrita Reis are the most sounding names amongst the artists this gallery promotes.
Until the 13th November, you may see Jorge Nesbitt’s latest work in an exhibition entitled, “The World is round”. The drawings are the illustration of the recently published Portuguese version of Gertrude Stein’s book, “The world is round”. The book was released during the inauguration of this exhibition, on the 8th of October. This is Stein’s only children’s book, and it tells the story of young girl called Rose, who is going through an identity crisis and a mystical outlook upon the world.


Graça Brandão Gallery

With its white walls and modern architecture, the Graça Brandão gallery opened its doors in May 2006. This is a branch of the gallery with the same name in Porto, and under the same director, José Mário Brandão. João Mário continues promoting national and international artists from different generations, giving a special attention to Brazilian artists.

Presently the exhibition is changing.

Fábulas Gallery

A combination of a restaurant, wine bar, art gallery, and cyber café, this is an unusual gallery. The stone arches give this space a unique characteristic. Open since September 2008, there is an exhibition on show every other month. The month when there is no exhibition, there are various activities such as, concerts or cinema cycles. The exhibitions are organised by the cultural magazine, Umbigo.
At present, Fábulas is showing the latest works by Miguel Palma, called “Man on Wire” a set of printed photographs with drawings.