Agenda

18  June 2024 | 10.00-12.00
Public Lecture (in presence only) | Timor Leste: An Artistic Perspective: The Contribution of Women to Art and Culture of the World’s Newest Nation

Maria Madeira
Artist

Co-organized by DSAAM e NICHE, PRIN SISEA / Symbolic Inequality at Work: gendered exclusion and imaginaries of empowerment in Southeast Asia Prof. Bolotta

Abstract:
Like many indigenous cultures, historically the arts and culture of Timor-Leste has endured, developed and passed through many changes since its beginning through approximately 500 years of colonisation by Portugal, the invasion by Indonesia in 1975 and its independence in 2002. These highly developed traditions, ways of life and customs, which pre-date to colonial history, continues to grow, develop, expand and will inevitably change in today’s existing society. Over the last few decades, there has been an evidence of increase in the visual arts culture, particularly during the period of Indonesian occupation. This is in fact growing, evolving and establishing itself in our contemporary society–in particular the emergence of female artists, which can be traced back to the Portuguese colonisation, and even more so to the Indonesian military rule. The progress and advancement of Timor-Leste’s contemporary female visual artists gained momentum during the period of decolonisation and the Indonesian occupation in 1975. Over the years, my artworks have predominantly been created using East Timorese traditional materials and symbols such as the betel nut. My paintings and sculptures have been focused mainly on Timor-Leste’s culture and history, using Western styles, methods and technique. Adding to this notion is the belief that the marriage between the old or traditional with the new and contemporary will bring wonders. As this will reach not only the more traditionalist, but also the younger generation whom have been for so many years exposed to more contemporary ideas.

Short bio:
Maria Madeira was born in the village of Gleno in the Ermera region of Timor-Leste. The Portuguese Air Force evacuated her from Timor in 1976 during the Indonesian invasion. She spent most of the subsequent eight years in an International Red Cross refugee camp on the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal and she immigrated to Australia with her family in August 1983. Over the years, she has gone on to complete three University qualifications: a B.A. Fine Arts (Visual Arts) Degree from Curtin University in 1991, a Graduate Diploma of Education (Major in Art) from Curtin University in 1993, and a B.A. in Political Science from Murdoch University in 1996. She has just completed her postgraduate (Doctor of Philosophy – Art) study from Curtin University,Australia. Between the years 2000 – 2004, Maria returned to Timor-Leste to play her part in Timor-Leste’s recovery, rebuilding and development of the world’s newest nation. To date, she has carried out over 30 solo or group exhibitions of her paintings, sculptures, drawings, mixed media collages and installation pieces, across Australia, Portugal, Brazil, Macau, Indonesia, Thailand and Timor-Leste. She is currently representing Timor-Leste at the 60 th Venice Biennale with an installation entitled: “Kiss and Don’t Tell”, curated by Natalie King, which is being shown at the Spazio – Ravá in San Silvestro Gallery, Venice.

Caption:
Kiss and Don't Tell, 2024 Performance. Still Courtesy of Maria Madeira and Anna Schwartz Gallery, Australia
Photo: Jorge de Araujo