NEW BEDFORD – Self-taught New Bedford artist Eufemia Reis largely attracts inspiration from her ethnic roots and personal experiences, and significantly enjoys portray the wonder and energy of African ladies.
Born in Angola to Cape Verdean dad and mom, her most distinguished works are infused with non secular and cultural elements of Lusophone Africa and Portugal as she lived in Lisbon for greater than 4 a long time earlier than coming to the US 12 years in the past.
“My signature items, that carry my picture, are geometric work that primarily depict ladies,” mentioned Reis, who is understood within the artwork world as Gamboa, her father’s household title with origins within the Algarve.
Who’re Eufemia Reis’ favourite topics?
She mentioned most of her items inform a narrative. Her favourite muse is the African lady due to her resilience regardless of the realities of the damaged world round her.
“Girls are crucial beings,” Reis harassed. “They carry new folks into the world, handle their household and residential. Sadly, we all know that in sure international locations and sure cultures ladies usually are not handled as they need to. We all know that in underdeveloped international locations, it’s not simple. I all the time have that at the back of my thoughts.”
One in every of her favourite collections is named African Girls. A piece in progress, it features a sequence of oil work, every portraying a girl in a distinct stage of the cycle of life. In a single portray, a girl is pregnant. In one other, she is breastfeeding. In one other, she is carrying a child on her again utilizing a standard piece of cloth.
“The thought is to do 10 work altogether,” Reis mentioned. “Two of those work are at present on show on the Gallery X in New Bedford.”
She mentioned she has misplaced depend of what number of occasions she has painted African ladies.
Exterior of the African Girls assortment, one among her most well-liked work depicts an African lady carrying a head scarf, which she achieved by mixing oil paint with African printed material to spotlight ethnic magnificence and traditions. One other favourite portray options an African lady’s again view.
“She is popping her again to her homeland; she is leaving in the hunt for a greater life and new horizons,” defined Reis. “It’s referred to as ‘Turning your again on the world.’ I used totally different colours to symbolize varied conditions she’ll discover alongside the way in which. Gold represents the great issues she’ll see.”
The batuqueiras are additionally amongst Reis’ hottest topics. They’re ladies who carry out a full of life and rhythmic dance that’s an integral a part of Cape Verdean tradition.
She has additionally painted Cape Verdean youngsters.
“One portray is named ‘The Horizon,’” she mentioned. “It reveals a baby misplaced in thought, questioning what’s past the place the place he’s at. It jogs my memory of the youngsters of Brava Island – the island my mom and husband had been born in. It’s the smallest and most distant [inhabited] island in Cape Verdean. For them, even shifting to a different island is already a giant step and journey.”
Though Reis does plenty of portraitures, she additionally enjoys portray landscapes. Her brushstrokes have captured lovely photographs of the Azores, Lisbon, Greece, and lots of different places.
Portuguese folklore is commonly featured in her work, particularly the colourful conventional dancers hailing from the Minho area in northern Portugal.
She has additionally painted the Schooner Ernestina, which for a few years carried immigrants and cargo between Cape Verde and the US.
What mediums does Eufemia Reis work in?
Reis’ artwork items showcase her versatility throughout mediums and talent to combine colours and shapes. She has painted a lot greater than canvases. Ceramics, glass, material, garments, sneakers, furnishings, leather-based… she has painted all of them. She additionally likes to decoupage, which includes chopping out photos, gluing them to an object after which coating the images and the item with layers of varnish.
“I’m very curious; I like to experiment with all kinds of supplies,” she mentioned, noting that artwork has been a ardour of hers ever since she was very younger.
“I’ve beloved portray and drawing ever since I used to be little,” she added. “In class, I wasn’t very productive as a result of I used to be all the time distracted making my drawings. When my dad and mom went to a college assembly, it was all the time the identical conversations.”
Does Eufemia Reis exhibit her paintings?
Reis mentioned most of her work could be present in non-public properties.
Whereas dwelling in Portugal, she would exhibit her work considerably frequently. Now that she’s extra acclimated to this nation, she mentioned it’s one thing she’d like to do domestically.
She just lately displayed her work on the Consulate of Portugal in New Bedford, and presently has just a few items on view on the Gallery X, situated at 169 William St., New Bedford.
Eufemia Reis establishes Home of Gamboa. What’s it?
She at present has a digital gallery and a small house referred to as ‘Home of Gamboa’ at HUB 128 collaborative workspace, situated on the third ground of the DeMello Worldwide Middle at 128 Union St., New Bedford.
She accepts commissions for work and different kinds of artwork. She additionally does residence décor and occasion planning.
“My dream is to have a street-facing house with a window entrance,” she mentioned. “Possibly someday.”
For extra details about Eufemia Reis or Home of Gamboa, go to https://www.houseofgamboa.com or ship an e mail to data@houseofgamboa.com
