Heaven, Hell and Somewhere In Between by Anthony Alan Shelton.Figure 1, 284 pages, $45.
Popular art connects with the general population through its expression of ideas and common themes. It draws from history, politics, culture and through the artist's imagination is presented back to us.
Portugal has long held its notion of good and evil, of heaven and hell, of the pathways that lead to both and the realm that exists between these poles where struggle is constant. Bringing his perspective, author and director of the UBC Museum of Anthropology Anthony Alan Shelton examines the broad mix of Portuguese art and presents this companion book to the exhibit of the same name.
Drawing from works ranging from historically significant paintings all the way to contemporary graffiti art, Shelton looks at both the means and the method of these artistic expressions. Folk art appears alongside the works of professionals and the interweaving of the rural and urban esthetic is apparent in both. The eclectic collection presented offers a broad sampling of ceramics, carvings, paintings, puppets, and more.
The exhibit at the MOA's Audain Gallery continues until Oct. 12.
