Archway Gallery presents
Dwellings
Dwellings
Featuring New Paintings by Silvia PintoSouza
Exhibition June 2 through July 3, 2018
Opening Reception
DATE: Saturday, June 2, 2018
TIME: 5 – 8 p.m.
Artist Talk: 6:30 p.m.
Artist Talk: 6:30 p.m.
Complimentary Valet Parking
& Light Refreshments
Archway Gallery presents Dwellings featuring new paintings by Silvia PintoSouza on view June 2 through July 3, 2018.
The artist will be on hand to visit with guests during the exhibition opening reception on Saturday,
June 2 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the gallery and will talk about her work at 6:30 p.m.
June 2 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the gallery and will talk about her work at 6:30 p.m.
Through the centuries, each civilization has typically had different types of dwellings developed by society of the time. Vitruvius, a 1st century Roman architect, described the three qualities required of architecture in his treatise,
De architectura as being: Firmness, Usefulness, and Delight; these include aesthetic, sensual, and intellectual qualities. Silvia PintoSouza explains, "No matter where I go, I recognize these architectural qualities and when viewing dwellings from afar, I feel invited to imagine what goes on in these spaces… What kind of people are behind those doors and windows? What type of life they are living? How do they feel and what are their thoughts about life? Clusters of buildings bear a remarkable testimony; they are buzzing with life…. We can imagine that everyone inside has a sense of belonging both to the city and to the dwelling that shelters them. Each one of these structures has many stories to tell. Their walls touch but they hide so many separate intimate activities of their inhabitants. The buildings are alive; they resemble their occupants and their cultural values… Some are colorful and light in design while others are simply white-washed; and then there are some which are soberly built in stone. There is so much activity enclosed in those walls; all the years of continuous settlement and successive interventions have each left their imprints. They tell me from every corner, 'Life is happening here!'"
PintoSouza is a painter for whom artistic aesthetics is very important. She feels that much of our cultural life is visual and the aesthetic appreciation of art is a major part of it. "When I look at something that I find striking and beautiful, I feel the need to paint it. I start by creating in my mind a pre-image: I look at the shapes, the colors, the light, the shadows and I create the painting in my mind. I want to produce something of aesthetic value, a work of art that I would enjoy looking at." The artist feels that in today's art world the 'Art for the sake of Art' idea has given way to an art that essentially refers to a political or social issue. She continues, "Of course, there is room for all concepts; we all have different ideas we want to express in different ways, but I feel that the aesthetic side of the work seems to have become secondary and of a lesser importance." We are reminded that Fernando Botero, a world famous Colombian artist, once said, ''The true objective in art is the pursuit of happiness, but the world seems to have forgotten about it." Silvia PintoSouza totally agrees with this statement and comments, "Happiness is also beauty. Since the aesthetic element in art is very important to me as an artist, I spend days working on a painting trying to accomplish what is beautiful or pleasing as seen through my eyes." While she spends time on the composition, color scheme, and textural aspects, ultimately, the important thing to the artist is that when a work of art leaves her studio, she has to be in love with it; it has to give her happiness. She paints what impacts her visual senses and says, "I want my work to speak for me with simplicity. There is no need for pompous words or descriptions that take away from what I feel is the real purpose of art… Finding pleasure in viewing art is what I call happiness!"
After graduating with a degree in Architectural Drawing, Silvia PintoSouza traveled from Colombia to London where she pursued her art training and received her Art and Design diploma from Byam Shaw School of Fine Art and Design, now known as Central Saint Martin's School of Art. She then took a course on Photo Printing at the Slade School of Art at University College London where she met her husband Marco. She moved with him to Rio de Janeiro, his native land, and there she continued her training in metal printing, lithography, woodcut, and silkscreen. For the last 25 years she has lived in Houston and has devoted herself exclusively to painting. Throughout her career, Silvia has received several awards and honors from various institutions and has exhibited artwork in many solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States, Europe, and South America; her artwork is included in collections throughout the world. She joined Archway Gallery in May 2016 and has enjoyed the comradery and creative environment of this unique gallery.
ABOUT ARCHWAY GALLERY Artist owned and operated since 1976. Archway Gallery, one of Houston's and the nation's oldest artist-owned and operated galleries, is located at 2305 Dunlavy and is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m. Since 1976, Archway Gallery has been exhibiting the work of the area's finest artists, providing a great selection of affordable, high quality art including sculpture, pottery and painting in a variety of media and styles. One of the more than 30 member artists is always on site, providing visitors a unique opportunity to meet the artists who created the work, offering a personal insight into the process. Each month features a special exhibition highlighting member artist(s). The public is invited to the monthly opening receptions that celebrate the new installations and work, usually held the first Saturday of each month from 5 – 8 p.m. In addition to monthly exhibitions, Archway also hosts a variety of demonstrations and monthly readings for local writers and authors, as well as a "Tea and Tour" program, providing visitors with a free artist-led tour of the current exhibition, followed by tea and refreshments. With 30 artist-members, Archway Gallery is THE destination in the Houston area for affordable art directly from the artist. For more information, visit ArchwayGallery.com or call 713.522.2409. Like Archway Gallery on Facebook.
