Abstract & Expressive Painting | Armanda Alves Art

Armanda Alves

untitled VI

€1.335,00

"painting is a joy, I love the energy that flows into the canvas and the play of colors. "

MEET

Armanda Alves

Armanda Alves is a self-taught Angolan abstract artist whose expressive, intuitive approach merges gesture, colour, and emotion into powerful visual statements. Currently based in Portugal, her practice bridges personal introspection with cultural memory, positioning her as a compelling voice among contemporary African women artists in the diaspora.

Armanda began painting informally, creating for herself and close friends. But in May 2008, her debut solo exhibition at Galeria Celamar in Luanda, Angola, revealed a deeper calling — one that would lead her down a new, more intentional artistic path.

Her work is defined by expressive abstraction, a language of poetic colour, raw texture, and emotional depth. Armanda is known for her unconventional technique: she paints entirely with her fingers, forging a direct connection between body and canvas. This tactile process creates layered, visceral compositions that defy structure and embrace spontaneity.

Her abstract paintings often blur the line between the serene and the wild, exploring silence, light, rhythm, and movement with remarkable sensitivity. Described by fellow artist Alfredo Luz as “tenderly rebellious,” her works resist conformity while casting an almost meditative spell over the viewer.

Now entering a phase of creative maturity, Armanda continues to explore her visual voice with growing clarity. Her art transcends formal categories — serving as emotional landscapes, acts of self-expression, and visual archives of personal transformation.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

The Silent Power of Black Collectors: Who’s Buying, Who’s Shaping, and Why It Matters More Than Ever

From the Margins to Market Makers For decades, the art market’s gatekeepers—collectors, gallerists, and institu...

They’re Not Just Emerging. They’re Disrupting — African Artists Who Are Redefining the Art World in 2026

In 2026, African contemporary artists are no longer peripheral voices: they’re shaping global artistic narratives, innovating new forms, and commanding institutional, market, and critical attention. From market giants to digital pioneers, these creators are proving that African art isn’t emerging — it’s leading.

You Can’t Decolonise the Museum Without This: Why African Curators Are the Future of Global Narratives

As institutions worldwide confront their colonial legacies, African curators are emerging as pivotal voices in reshaping museum narratives. Their presence is not symbolic—it is structural. This article explores why curators from Africa and its diasporas are vital to rethinking ownership, representation and the future of global culture.

From Lagos to Luanda: Who’s Really Investing in African Culture? — The Countries Quietly Leading the New Global Cultural Economy

African culture and contemporary art are no longer peripheral. From Nigeria’s bustling Lagos scene to Angola’s growing creative infrastructure, several countries on the continent — together with regional and international partners — are investing in culture as a strategic economic and diplomatic asset. This article explores where this cultural momentum is concentrated and why it matters for artists, collectors and creative economies in 2026.

The Collector’s Dilemma: Buy Passion or Buy Profit? A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting African Art in 2026

In 2026, the market for African contemporary art is flourishing. But for new collectors, a question remains: should you collect what you love, or what may yield returns? This guide explores the emotional and financial dimensions of building an art collection with meaning and value.

Why Now? Why Black Art? — How African Contemporary Art Became the New Language of Global Power

African contemporary art has exploded onto the global stage — not as a fleeting trend, but as a fundamental shift in how artistic value, cultural power and visual narratives are defined. Driven by market expansion, institutional interest, new platforms, and a growing generation of Black and African diasporic voices, this moment marks a re‑acceleration of recognition, influence and economic relevance.

Bridging Worlds: Sherin ElBaroudi at the Beijing Biennale 2025

Sherin ElBaroudi just made her debut at the 2025 Beijing Biennale with a large-scale painting that resonates with the exhibition’s theme of "Coexistence." Her work engages Islamic philosophy, contemporary theory, and layered visual storytelling to reflect on the human self in a fractured world.