"Jessica Dunn: Summer Seaside Stories"
2005-06-04 until 2005-06-28
Corte Real Gallery
Albufeira, , PT Portugal

Corte Real enjoys a reputation as the Algarve's friendliest and most innovative art gallery since it opened last autumn on the outskirts of the village of Paderne. Now, it is celebrating the latest chapter in the Corte Real success story by staging an exhibition of work by the Algarve-based English painter Jessica Dunn in a newly opened showroom adjoining the present gallery. The exhibition, entitled Summer Seaside Stories , opened over a two-day period from June 4-5 and is the first of a number of one-person shows planned for the new space.

Summer Seaside Stories features a series of 18 oil paintings based on images in a family photo album dating from around the 1920s that was bought years ago in a flea market. The black and white photos of unknown and long-since departed persons depict romantic, lazy days on the beach in an era when sea and sunbathing was a new fashion. As nostalgic starting points for Jessica s paintings, they are transformed by the colours of the artist s palette, and evoke a charm and elegance. Jessica, who studied fine art at Kingston Polytechnic in London, moved to the Algarve in 1986 to live and work. She has exhibited widely in both solo and collective shows in Portugal, England and Italy including the prestigious International Biennale of Contemporary Art in Italy in 2003. The paintings in her exhibition, which will be on show for three weeks, have been framed in the characteristic Corte Real style which is a trademark of the gallery.

All of the work shown at Corte Real is framed in a unique way that reflects both ecological and aesthetic concepts. Re-cycled or re-claimed wood is imaginatively designed and crafted by the gallery s founders Pedro Corte Real and Tom Compton to embrace and harmonize with the painting. This special touch invariably adds a visual kick to the work. Corte Real is located in a traditional farmhouse with a courtyard offering lovely panoramic rustic views. The interior is a bright little world of colour, light and fun. There are six small exhibition rooms, and now the new wing, all restored with great flair, decorated in vibrant colours and furnished in traditional style. It is a place not only of culture but of warm hospitality. A home that is open to the public and where tea and coffee can be found for gallery members and visitors. Said Tom: We are not elitist. We are a gallery of the people for the people where new artists and visitors are always welcome. Corte Real is open every day, except Monday - 10 'til 6. It is off the beaten track but well signposted Corte-Real Galeria from the centre of Paderne.

Jessica Dunn has been a Premiere Portfolio Artist at absolutearts.com since 2001. View more of her works at: http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/j/jessicadunn/

IMAGE
Jessica Dunn
Andorinhas E Amazonas
2005
Oil Painting
65 x 54 x 3 cm
$1700

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Portugal

Other Important Exhibitions in Portugal