A group of six painters from the Ali:Leste collective, formed in 2019 in Cidade Tiradentes, in the East Zone, won an exhibition for the first time in a commercial art space, Galeria Berenice Arvani, in the Jardins neighborhood. Titled “Situations / Urban Landscapes”, the exhibition is curated by art critic Aracy Amaral.
Ali (Arte Livre Itinerante), founded, formed and led by painters from the outskirts, works as a collective and as a free art school. Today, it brings together around 30 participants. The exhibition at Galeria Berenice Arvani features works by Ana Kia, Evandro Cesar, Koki, Link Museu, Renato Custodio and Tito Terapia.
“These selections deserved an exhibition. But they were chosen, so to speak, from among more than a dozen painters who, on Saturdays, after a week of various jobs to support themselves – in beauty salons, operating forklifts or as 'do smooth' (wall) painters. , drivers and fruit packers in markets – paint outdoors”, writes Aracy Amaral in the text for the exhibition catalogue.
The art critic also mentions the encouragement Ali:Leste participants received from recognized professional artists: “I refer in particular to the artist and stimulator Rodrigo Andrade, as well as Paulo Monteiro and Antonio Malta. Just like Pinkalsky and Maria Andrade. And in particular, to the artist Lucia Koch, who, appearing in the East Zone, joined forces with those from the 'quebrada' and with poetics in the heart of Cidade Tiradentes or to paint the surroundings of the outskirts”.
The exhibition features 35 paintings that reveal both urban and natural landscapes (which survive in the outskirts), still lifes and records of the city, such as children playing jump rope in the street and even a slot machine. There is also an installation, “Risca Faca”, a work by Renato Custodio made with pool cues and small paintings.
Among the points in common between the artists are the facts that the majority come from graffiti and had not had contact with formal art until getting involved with Ali:Leste and, in addition to art, they dedicate themselves to other professions, like Evandro Cesar (scenic lighting and free lance stage manager and residential painter), Koki (sales promoter), Link Museu (residential painter) and Tito Terapia (electrician and forklift operator).
Service
Exhibition | Situations / Urban Landscapes
From August 15th to September 16th
Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 19 pm
