Emília Morais

Pool

€160,00

"My warm paintings, with ethnic elements and with the primordial presence of animals, whether domestic or wild, make us remember the best of Africa and the connection that I have with nature. "

MEET

Emília Morais

Emília Morais (b. 1957, Uíge, Angola) is a celebrated Angolan contemporary artist whose practice bridges African visual identity, colour symbolism, and storytelling. She studied Visual Arts in Angola, later completing her degree in Painting at the School of Fine Arts in Lisbon, and attended the prestigious António Arroio School. Morais is known for her textured compositions and poetic abstraction that reflect both cultural memory and feminine expression.

Her debut solo show took place in Angola, followed by her 1990 exhibition at Estoril Casino’s Art Gallery, marking the beginning of a prolific career in African contemporary painting. With dozens of solo and collective exhibitions, she has presented work across Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Japan, Korea, and Macao, often exploring Afro-Portuguese identity and the layered experiences of women artists in Africa.

Recognised with awards like the 2nd prize “Novos Valores da Cultura” (1988) and an Honourable Mention at the Spring Salon (1989), Emília's work is featured in public and private collections globally — including Lisbon City Hall, Seixal Municipality, and Fidelidade Insurance Company. Her name appears in key publications such as Guide de l’Art Africain Contemporain (Paris) and Aspectos das Artes Plásticas em Portugal.

Across painting, drawing, and symbolic figuration, Emília Morais brings forth a voice that honours Afro-diasporic legacy, feminine resilience, and the transformative power of African art.

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