Curated by Diana Ali at Art Center Caravel, ARTE.M Association, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 2024 & Arthall, Victoria, Gozo, Malta 2025

Concept:

We are facing many barriers globally where our identities are being bruised, rejected, and turned away. This leaves a tension for bodies, thoughts, and circumstances to be accepted and co-exist. Artists have been invited to contest and question what it means to face barriers. Often our artworks have been declined from being shown and exhibited. This exhibition gives an opportunity for the art to migrate. There may not be a utopia, but there are ways of overcoming barriers. Imagine the artwork being personified. What would it say if it had freedom of movement, no immigration law, finding asylum and a sense of belonging without being displaced? A fantastic array of international artists come together in one space to question, confront and seek sanctuary through their artwork.

Exhibition information/Flyer:

Exhibition information/Flyer:

UPDATE 2025

In 2024, a majority of the work was detained by the Portuguese customs on the way to be exhibited in Madeira. The artwork did not have a freedom to roam. In 2025, the art hopes to confront crossings and overcome barriers by having the opportunity to be exhibited at Arthall, Malta.

Dianne Murphy (Wales)

Dasein

(Colour Inked Etching on Fabriano Unica, 13 x 19 cm)

As we journey through life our time is finite and, travelling alongside our fellow human beings, we are carried forwards by the willing hands of others. Acknowledging those who have come before us, and our reliance upon that connection, keeps us anchored and responsive. It’s our turn to brave the seas now and make good use of our all too brief window of opportunity. We don’t do it alone.

The images of childhood form my visual language and, after initially training as a painter, I’m now working within a specialised form of colour inked steel plate etching. Whilst studying Jung's psychology, and philosophy in general, alchemy and its abundant use of symbols has held my attention.  Currently, following this questioning thread back through time has, for me, uncovered an ongoing need for us all to look within, begin to recognise our true selves and perhaps realise some form of inner peace.  My subjects of interest continually evolve but have always come from the perspective of a woman and a mother, sometimes fundamentally feminist in nature.  

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