RISING STAR João Saramago’s work captivates us

“I realised I’d created several universes and countless possibilities”

DRAWING ATTENTION

Using just a ballpoint pen and paper, Pontcanna-based artist João Saramago creates twirling, entangled universes

João draws on shredded pieces of paper to create large-scale artworks

LOCAL LOVE “I love living in Cardiff,” says João. “It’s so welcoming – the parks, the nature, the culture, the people. I feel at home here and feel I want to give something back; I want to play my part in creating a city that’s even more vibrant and creative. I’m looking to collaborate with other artists to create events and exhibitions that engage with and promote the city’s art scene.

We spotted João Saramago’s work as part of the mbrella Cardiff art collective, and we were immediately sucked into the alternate realities that he creates, with just a ballpoint pen on paper.

“I really don’t like giving a name to what I do,” says the artist who lives in Pontcanna. “I used to draw to escape the world around me, creating new ones with my own rules. I would doodle for hours, and working with a ballpoint pen became my chosen medium, which it still is today.

“I never knew what I was really doing, until I started to collect tons of drawings and then I stepped back and realised I’d created several universes and countless possibilities.”

João – who will be an artist in residence in Reykjavik during October, where he’ll be working towards a group show with other artists from all around the world – cuts and rips paper to draw on it, blending the drawing and shredded pieces to create large-scale artworks, including sculpture. The compositions are organic and visceral, comprised of twirling and entangled lines. His main subjects are related to the human condition, and he plays with ideas of vulnerability, loneliness, endurance and transformation on paper.

“I attempt to reinvent drawing and its expression, its form and meaning in order to reinvent myself as well,” he says. “Personally, I come from a place where emotions rule, and I project that into my practice; I like to leave any interpretation to the viewer.

“Producing the work is time-consuming and uncomfortable at times, but basically it’s about the process and the experience.”

For more: @saramago.joao

WYBURN & WAYNE Move over Ant & Dec. Make way Edina & Patsy. Stand aside Batman & Robin. Our dynamic duo are in town and they’re here to give us the low down on the Cardiff high life

We are so thrilled ardiff ie magazine is back up and running, and that we can share our antics with you all here Although it’s a little unbelievable that it’s already quite a way into October, we are staying optimistic that we can all end this year positively.

As best mates, we are obviously often talking about the current situation of the world, and Cardiff particularly we are worried for our friends’ businesses, we are concerned for the health of our loved ones and unsure of what the new normal’ will become.

However, we cannot stop. e love spreading love and good energy wherever we can, in whatever way we can. e’ve continued throughout lockdown no matter what, raising funds for charities and hosting things online for entertainment. e recently even walked miles in one day the virtual Three Peaks challenge for Rookwood Hospital. ow things are slightly eased under restriction guidelines, we have managed to get out and see some of the food venues that we love. Our friends at araztro on elleld oad have been especially kind and thoughtful throughout and have been offering a scaled-back, simpler menu for their customers. We also got to recently pop along to the extremely photogenic The otanist to sample their bottomless brunch. That was a delight. The staff there are so attentive and their menu has some great options. owever, we must admit having only had a handful of drinks over

Nathan’s collage is made up of 500 faces of people working in the events industry in Wales

the past few months, we can’t quite do it like we used to. We have a reputation to uphold as the Cardiff party boys, it’s quite funny actually. athan recently fronted the Cardiff leg of the e akeEvents campaign by collaging together a elsh flag using images of people who work in events. This was to highlight the urgent need for support from the government for the crisis the entertainment sector is facing during covid. The image was lit up with an impactful red light show in Cardiff ay on 3 eptember as part of the lobal ay Of Action. It’s extremely emotional to think that people sent in images for the collage, and that’s not even one per cent of the people affected by the industry in ales alone. ayne has always wanted to check out the Everyman Cinema, so as we were lling some time in the bay that day, we popped in to watch a movie. It’s the perfect cinema experience comfortable sofa seats, with tables attached for your food which is brought into you from their menu we had chicken burgers, popcorn and a little glass of wine.

Everywhere is noticeably trying their best, adhering to restrictions and doing what they can to get by. e empathise with so many businesses in the city right now and we just wish everyone well. Cardiff, we love you ntil next time.

For more, and to support the campaign, visit www.wemakeevents.com

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