It is almost 10 years since Timor-Leste gained its independence and became the world’s newest and smallest democracy. Not surprisingly, nationalism and identity are the ideals found in paintings and sculptures produced by the artists of Arte Moris, a free art school founded in 2003 by Swiss artist, Luca Gansser.
Arte Moris (Living Art) has a programme of peace, reconciliation, social and environmental action. The artwork produced at the school is wide-ranging, often surrealist in style, and exhibits cultural aspects from the varied regions of the country.
Arte Moris artists use brilliant colour. To emphasise their nationalism, tais are prominently placed in their designs. Tais is the cloth of East Timor, woven by women on narrow back strap looms. Its use ranges from everyday to ceremonial and sacred. Motifs woven into the cloth show the region of the maker and often they are made from native cotton and natural dyes.
Arte Moris artists, in this exhibition, want to define what Timor is after independence. They are starting the long exploration of how to position their art and themselves within a post-colonial world.
A Bundoora Homestead Art Centre exhibition in conjunction with Arte Moris and the Friends of Baucau.
