Bright and vivid works on daily life in Brazil

New Straits Times: Kuala Lumpur — May 15, 2001

Little Havana exhibition of paintings by six renowned artists

 – By D. Maheshwari

If you are an art enthusiast looking to add to your collection, drop by at the Brazilian Art Exhibition being held at Little Havana on the first floor of Eastin Hotel, in Petaling Jaya.

The exhibition, on till the end of the month, depicts scenes of the daily lives of Brazilians, to more abstract expressions by six renowned artists from the country – Mara Toledo, Ivete Santos, Celso Isidoro, Vilca Merizio, Jurandyr Cavaicanti and Elaine Werneck.

Their works, 24 in all, are up for sale from RM2,000 to RM6,500 a piece.

Tunku Nurul Hayati Tunku Bahador, wife of Antah Holdings executive chairman Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Jaffar, opened the exhibition last Thursday.

Oriental Art Affair Sdn Bhd director Jurema Walendowsky Baker, who is also the organiser of the event, said Toledo, 45, is among the best painters in South Brazil.

She enjoys using bright colours and detailed strokes on her works, which usually depict the lives of common people such as farmers harvesting coffee, orange and sugar cane, among others.
Santos’s forte is ecology while Isidoro, Werneck and Merizio are abstract artists who have produced many inspirational works.

Cavaicanti’s works are based on everyday scenes such as fishermen going to sea and plucking coconuts.

Marcia M. Muzzi, wife of Brazilian ambassador Geraldo Affonso Muzzi, who was among those present at the launch, said it was difficult to pick the best of the 24 pieces on exhibition.
“But I will probably buy of the pieces and present it to my husband on his birthday next week,” said Marcia.

About 150 guests attended the launch.

Present were Chilean ambassador Roberto Ibarra, Mexican ambassador Ricardo Villanueva, Argentinian ambassador Armando J.J. Maffei, Peruvian ambassador Javier Gonzales and wife Geni, Roche (M) Sdn Bhd regional managing director Michel Villard and See Hoy Chan Holdings Group director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok and wife Datin Shirley Teo.