By Carolina Matos, Editor (*) source: http://portuguese-american-journal.com/arts-santiago-ribeiro-brings-international-surrealism-now-to-dallas-texas-interview/ Arts: Santiago Ribeiro brings “International Surrealism Now” to Dallas, Texas – Interview Posted on 19 March 2014. By Carolina Matos, Editor (*) The LuminArte Gallery of Dallas, Texas, is presenting the “Luso-American Surrealism of the 21st Century,” art exhibit featuring works by Portuguese artists Victor Lages, Paula Rosa, Francisco Urbano, and Santiago Ribeiro and American artists France Garrido, Joe MacGown, K.D. Matheson, Shahla Rosa, Steve Smith, and Olga Spiegel. The exhibit, running from March 22 through April 26, is the continuation of the itinerant collective series promoted by the “International Surrealism Now” project comprising of variety of artworks, created through different techniques and media, such as drawings, paintings, photography, digital art and sculpture. In 2010, Santiago Ribeiro founded the “International Surrealism Now” project, a collective exhibits series dedicated to showcasing Surrealism as an art form. Last year, in June, he was invited to participate in the “Fantastic Realism” exhibit, an international collective promoted by the LuminArte Gallery of Dallas, featuring local and international artists. Born in Coimbra, Portugal, Santiago Ribeiro, 49, attended art classes at the Escola Avelar Brotero and Escola Superior de Educação of Coimbra. He has organized and participated in numerous individual and collective art exhibitions in Portugal and abroad. His work is represented in several private collections as well as in the Collection of Contemporary Art of the National Museum Machado de Castro and in the Bissaya Barreto Foundation in Coimbra, Portugal. He is affiliated with United Photo Press. Based in dreams and visions, Ribeiro’s metaphoric surrealist imagery surprises, puzzles and triggers mixed feelings. (See Photo Gallery). His paintings have been described as “complex compositions illustrating deep concerns about modern society and its individual and collective behavior.” In this interview for the Portuguese American Journal, Santiago Ribeiro speaks of his development as a surrealist painter, Surrealism as an art form and his “International Surrealism Now” initiative.

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Arts: Santiago Ribeiro brings “International Surrealism
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Postedon19March2014.
By Carolina Matos, Editor (*)
The LuminArte Galleryof Dallas, Texas, is presenting the
“Luso-American Surrealism of the 21st Century,” art
exhibit featuring works byPortuguese artists Victor Lages,
Paula Rosa, Francisco Urbano, and Santiago Ribeiro and
American artists France Garrido, Joe MacGown, K.D.
Matheson, Shahla Rosa, Steve Smith, and Olga Spiegel.
The exhibit, running from March 22 throughApril 26, is the
continuation of the itinerant collective series promoted by
the “International Surrealism Now” project comprising of
varietyof artworks, created through different techniques and media, such as drawings, paintings,
photography, digital art and sculpture.
In 2010, Santiago Ribeiro founded the “International Surrealism Now” project, a collective exhibits series
dedicated to showcasing Surrealism as an art form. Last year, in June, he was invited to participate in the
“Fantastic Realism” exhibit, an international collective promoted bythe LuminArte Galleryof Dallas, featuring
local and international artists.
Born in Coimbra, Portugal, Santiago Ribeiro, 49, attended art classes at the EscolaAvelar Brotero and Escola
Superior de Educação of Coimbra. He has organized and participated in numerous individual and collective
art exhibitions in Portugal and abroad. His work is represented in several private collections as well as in the
Collection of ContemporaryArt of the National Museum Machado de Castro and in the Bissaya Barreto
Foundation in Coimbra, Portugal. He is affiliated with United Photo Press.
Based in dreams and visions, Ribeiro’s metaphoric surrealist imagerysurprises, puzzles and triggers mixed
feelings. (See Photo Gallery). His paintings have been described as “complexcompositions illustrating deep
concerns about modern societyand its individual and collective behavior.”
In this interview for the Portuguese American Journal, Santiago Ribeiro speaks of his development as a
surrealist painter, Surrealism as an art form and his “International Surrealism Now” initiative.
Whendidyoustart painting?
I started painting as a child and continued experimenting mostlywith primarycolors. It all began after my
father brought home a libraryof 40 art books with illustrations from the MiddleAges throughout the classics of
the Renaissance to the masters of Impressionism and Surrealism and other contemporarymodern artists.At
the time, I couldn’t read the books but I was fascinated bythe imagery. I remember being particularly
captivated bythe fantastic allegories of Hieronymus Bosch as well as the impressionist and surrealist art
forms. Studying those illustrations was myfirst painting lesson because theyinspired me to start painting on
myown.
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2. Painter Santiago Ribeiro
Oil on canvas, 100cm x 70cm, 2014.
What is your backgroundtrainingas a painter?
I consider myself a self-taught artist. Actually, I
was onlysixteen when I produced myfirst oil
painting. Since then, painting became my
profession and I started selling mypaintings to
make a living. I attended a couple of art schools
but I dropped out because I enjoyed painting
more than going to classes. It was difficult to
coordinate school and work. Yet, although I was
self-taught, I consider that attending art classes
was veryhelpful to myartistic development.
How didyoucome toidentifywithSurrealism?
I believe I was always a surrealist painter.
Surrealism draws from dreams, the imaginary
and the subconscious. In other words, I was a
surrealist painter before I realized what Surrealism was. I onlybecame aware of Freud’s theories of dreams
and Surrealism as an art form later in mycareer. This is to saythat, like manyother surrealist painters,
Hieronymus Bosch included, I was creating surrealist imageryas a wayof expressing myself not being
aware of Surrealism as an art form.
How has Surrealismevolvedintoyour painting?
Surrealism allows for absolute unlimited unrestrained freedom. Surrealist painters tend to absorbed all
kinds of influences from all kinds of art forms. It also allows for individualityand diversity. Each one of us ends
up developing our own unique style, creating original paintings that are trulydistinctive. Like most surrealist
painters, I have developed myown distinctive technique and style. Yet, because we all share common traits,
we end up being labeled as ”surrealist” artists.
What does the “surreal” meantoyouas anartist?
Surrealist imagerydraws from dreams and visions allowing the unconscious to express itself.As an artist, I
feel compelled to create dreamlike imageryemerging from the stream of unconsciousness.
Doyouhave a reference or someone whohas influencedyou?
Hieronymus Bosch has always been an important reference to me. He has inspired and influenced me since
I was a child and started experimenting with painting.
Is the “surreal” a means toanendinitself for you?
It is not a means or an end. It is a process. It all starts with a dream, a vision or a thought. It is a creative
process that happens free from preset ideas. In myparticular case, it happens as it happens when it
happens. I follow no rules.
What fascinates youthe most about Surrealism?
I don’t know. But, because you have asked, I would sayit is all about freedom. I feel totallyfree to create
whatever I feel like. That’s what fascinates me.
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3. Oil on canvas, 100cm x 70cm, 1998.
What most inspires your creativity?
Surrealist aesthetics taps the subconscious through the free association of images and thoughts. It is a
creative process which comes from deep within, verymuch influenced bythe real and the unreal in which
dreams playan import role. Dreams are based in realityas realityis based in dreams. Everything is
connected. There are no boundaries. I mayalso feel inspired bya vision, a movie, a painting, a book or poem
I just read. Music also inspires me. Everything intersects and interconnects.
What are the recurrent themes inyour work andwhy?
The human form is definitelya recurrent theme in mypaintings. Other recurrent themes are the yellow and
red as dominant colors. But, if you ask me “why”, I would not be able to answer. It just happens that way.
What mediumdoyoumost oftenuse?
I use oil on canvas exclusively.
Couldyoudescribe your artistic process?
Some surrealists are more descriptive while others are more abstract in their narratives. In mycase, I
envision what I want to represent and I tryto make it happen. Yet, it takes technique and skill to give form to
that visualization. I must saythat more often than not I am not able to represent what I have envisioned. It is
part of the creative process to be surprised with the end result. I often find myself bemused bymyown
creations which become revelations to me. Sometimes, when I look at an old painting of mine, I feel
surprised bywhat I see – like I am seeing it for the first time. I find myself experiencing the same sense of
revelation as anyother person seeing the painting for the first time.
Manyhave definedSurrealismis anart movement set inthe beginningof the 20th century. How doyou
explainthat the movement continues tothrive, over a century, across the globe?
Surrealism existed before and after the 20th century. It belongs to all ages and cultures past, present and
future. Unlike other art forms, Surrealism has survived the test of time because it is tied to dreams. To dream
is inherent to the human condition and Surrealism is the creative process that best serves the human need
to represent dreams and visions in a continuum with little variations. In the 20th centurythere were attempts
made to framework Surrealism as an aesthetic art form. The effort failed to materialize because Surrealism
is about freedom of expression. It can’t be constrained to time, culture, ideologyor aesthetics. Surrealism will
prevail as long as there is the human need to express oneself spontaneouslyin freedom with creativity.
Where didyouget the idea for your project “International SurrealismNow”?
The idea came about when I realized the power of the internet to communicate and connect with fellow artists
and the public. Through the internet, I found out we could organize projects collectivelywith local institutions
and groups worldwide. We started working with local artists promoting inclusive group events open to diverse
artistic expressions such as poetry, music, multimedia and dance events. Our first group initiative took place
in 2008 when we organized an international collective exhibit at the Casa Museu Bissaya Barreto, in Coimbra.
This event led to broader initiatives and to the creation in 2010 of the “International Surrealism Now” project.
Your “International SurrealismNow” project has promotedexhibits inover 30 countries. Anew exhibit is
openinginDallas, Texas, March22. WhyDallas?
Last year, Romanian-American Magi Calhoun, an artist affiliated with the our project, proposed my
participation at the “Fantastic Realism” exhibit, an international collective promoted bythe LuminArte Gallery
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4. Oil on canvas, 70cm x 50cm, 1997.
of Dallas, Texas. Following that exhibit,American Surrealist Shahla Rosa proposed the realization of a
collective exhibit at the LuminArt Gallerybringing together Portuguese andAmerican surrealist artists which
we titled “Luso-American Surrealism of the 21st Century.”
Is SurrealisminPortugal anydifferent
fromanyother forms of Surrealism?
There isn’t anything unique to
Surrealism in Portugal that I am aware
of. However, because we are all
influenced byour environment,
Portuguese surrealist painters will use
references explicit to their environment
that one can easilyidentify.As an
example, I have used Coimbra, the city
where I was born and where I live, as a
reference in manyof mypaintings.
Another reference is Condeixa-a-Nova,
the town where I spent time as a child
and where I did myfirst painting. I have
also used elements from Conimbriga,
the nearbyancient Roman cityin ruins.
Other easilyidentifiable references in
mypaintings include elements from
the Portuguese architecture and from
our national monuments.
Doyouhave one favorite paintingin
your personal portfolio?
I can’t sayI have one favorite painting.
Most of mypaintings are sold quickly
and I maynot see them again. What I
can sayis that I have two particular
paintings that I am much attached to
and that I will not sell. One was painted
in 1997 and the other in 1998. Theymust mean something special because I just can’t let them go. Theygive
me a deep feeling of accomplishment and the sense that I will never be able to create anything like that ever
again. So, I hold on to them.
How doyouknow whena work is finished?
It happens when I get a sense of completion and closure and I feel the urge to start something new.
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About LuminArte Gallery
LuminArte Gallery, convenientlylocated in the Dallas Design District, showcases contemporaryaward-
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5. LuminArte Gallery, convenientlylocated in the Dallas Design District, showcases contemporaryaward-
winning artists, as well as bright emerging talent. Specializing in art placement and interior design
consultation, the gallerypresents collectors, designers and corporate clients with a diverse arrayof artwork in
a varietyof media, styles and techniques. Representing over fortyartists from more than a dozen countries,
LuminArte continues to embrace the local art communitybyhosting an artist in residence program, and by
providing workshops and continuing education opportunities.
The first “International Surrealism Now” collective exhibit was held in Coimbra, Portugal, in 2010, dedicated to
the cityand sponsored bythe bythe Bissaya Barreto Foundation. The project has been recognized byartists
in 27 countries.
In the last four years, the itinerant exhibit has expanded to include 50 artworks byinternationallyrenowned
surrealist artists, in over 30 countries, including Germany,Australia,Austria,Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil,
Canada, Chile, China, Spain, USA, Philippines, France, Netherlands, Indonesia, England, Iran, Iceland, Italy,
Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and Vietnam.
The exhibit will open with a reception taking place on Saturday, March 22, from 7 – 10pm. LuminArte Gallery
is located at 1727 E. Levee Street, Dallas, Texas 75207. Hours are Tuesdaythrough Friday, 11am – 6pm; and
from noon to 6pm on Saturday. For more information, call 214.914.4503.
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___________
(*) Carolina Matos, is the founder and editor of Portuguese Portuguese AmericanJournal
online. She was the Editor–in-Chief for The Portuguese AmericanJournal, in print, from
1985 to 1995. From 1995 to 2010, she was a consultant for Lisbon based Luso-American
Development Foundation(FLAD). She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree inLiberal Arts
and a Master’s Degree inEnglishandEducationfrom BrownUniversityand holds a
Doctorate inEducationfrom LesleyUniversity. She is also an adjunct professor at LesleyUniversitywhere
she has taught undergraduate and graduate courses. In 2004, Carolina Matos was honored with the
Comenda da OrdemdoInfante D. Henrique, presented byJorge Sampaio, President of Portugal.
Thank you for reading: Arts: Santiago Ribeiro brings “International Surrealism Now” to Dallas, Texas – Interview | PortugueseAmerican Journal
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Rick Simpson · Manila, Philippines
France - congratulations!
Reply · Like · March 19 at 9:26pm
Lena Gal
Parabens Santiago Ribeiro tudo de bom ..
Reply · Like · · March 19 at 1:20pm3
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