art expo Algarve

PORTUGAL’S LARGEST INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR, A BRILLIANT CELEBRATION OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, WILL OPEN ITS DOORS THIS MONTH AND INTRODUCE A VAST AUDIENCE TO THE WORKS OF BOTH LONGSTANDING NAMES AND FRESH NEW TALENTS GETTING

ESTABLISHED NOW

Words: CAROLYN KAIN

ART EXPO ALGARVE, to be held in Portimão this month, includes fine galleries and more than 200 emerging and internationallyestablished artists and galleries representing 30 different countries; the exhibition encompasses a glorious selection of paintings, photographs, illustrations and sculptures.

Epitomizing the excellence of the Algarve, Galeria Côrte-Real is bringing together a variety of work created by local and globallyrenowned artists. Many will be available to talk to the public about the subjects included in their artworks, their creativity and personal techniques. The stand will comprise a diverse assortment of styles including Roman Markov’s remarkable triptych depicting the city of Porto.

Inspired by extensive travels around Portugal, Roman Markov is a celebrated artist of Ukrainian descent. He trained in Kiev, arriving in the Algarve 20 years ago where he has established a prominent reputation. Absorbing the architecture and the culture of his second home, his depictions of Portugal are famous.

His three paintings of Porto, seen as one continuous panorama, portray the country’s second city. Its red-roofed buildings are perched upon a granite cliff, clinging to the steep and cobbled streets. Markov accurately illustrates the tenement houses, their faltering wrought iron balconies and lines of flapping laundry. Overlooking the River Douro, the precarious existence of these buildings defy belief; between them lanes and narrow staircases climb up and down at perilous angles. Clearly residents need a head for heights!

When the first Romans arrived in this area they clustered round the Douro’s mouth. Naming the settlements on either side of the river, Portus and Cale, a ferry service connected the two. Together they were known as Portus-Cale and this name eventually became connected to the surrounding province.

In the 12th century, a newly independent country came into existence and it was entitled Portugal. The original Portus became Porto, prefaced by the definite article ‘o’, meaning The Port. It is the Anglicized version that combined ‘o’ with Porto so that the name Oporto was born.

Today the city’s charm has become an inspiration for many urban artists but few can depict the architecture with Markov’s degree of accuracy. He intrigues his audience, imagining the lifestyles of the people who live behind each window frame. In the past, in sight of the Douro, Philippa of Lancaster and her son Henry the Navigator lived here, but Porto has not stood still. Markov’s triptych preserves its present day atmosphere.

Art Expo Algarve

21-24 September 11:00–21:00