Analysis and Criticism

Christ 21 years after João José

“…J.J. and his wife Mofeliaf lived in a place called Zambujal, near Parede. His work stay all there, not only Christs. His work also includes the ambient, nature, spring and África. But without doubt is his Christ’s Cycle wich influence, fascinates and put me in an ecstasy. I went to a room where I feel suddenly and surprisingly toutched, I should say “assaulted” by the pictorial splendour of more than a tenfold of Christs of different dimensions (some in big size)-half-body, full-body, in the cross, out of the cross, in mother’s lap, Nativity, last supper, or only his face, expressive, emaciated, enigmatic, majestic, the eyes once serenes or suppliantly, interrogatives, gentle and dramatically appealing to all-love Him or not! It is almost suffocating the ambience in this “Christ-room” with the “…happiness of reds and ochres…” (Edgardo Xavier happy expression) filling up all the room. From the window of this room, I noticed another room out of the house and through a half open door, I could catch a glimpse, amazed.the astounding and suffering expression of a Christ with “ a people’s face “ It is sorrow, shocked, appelant, with a doubt big as the world in suspention from His eyes !.. Believe me: Don’t miss the opportunity to know this remarkable Christ-Cycle from João José …”  

Roberto Cordeiro (art critic)

Impressing by the scale and strong chromatism, João José’s canvas reflects a creator with a modern accent in spite of his drawing’s quality, the fluency and determination in his composition and the necessity, by the theme, to try justification to the speech. Theoreticaly away by the defended truths of Umberto Eco, cultivates, in his paintings, the formal ambiguity so characteristic in open works. Impregnating his figures of an assumed spiritual sense arrive, nevertheless, to the point where is clear his tellurianism. So in the available area,  has identical value and weight, figuration and involvement, as if he wishes calling also our attention for the surroundings to the theme, finally it’s the copious and some times exuberant way of his personal manner of to be and standing up. Always enigmatic, the Initiated outlined the philosopher, wears man’s skin and ascends with Christ’s Divinity.There are dust and stones in this way to the stars; There are humanism and liberty; There are still, wisdom in the codification of symbols. It’s by them that we can cross darkness and light in these new path wich also cries in the happiness of reds and ochres. 

Edgardo Xavier (art critic)

The works of this great painter, wich the Portuguese’s art was in the need, expresses in a vehement way, through his Christ’s series, the tragedy wich all we know and also were suspicious in the today’s man by now and always.

J. C. Pissarra de Carvalho (writer)

If the painter’s inspiration comes from God in order to show to his fellow man His suffering and martyrdom, also God did contemplate him with gold’s hands so with his work he can show to the world these masterpieces that will stay in our subconscious as an art divine.

Manuel Ribeiro (sculptor)

“…It’s a marvellous surprise that send us (even if we are no believers) to pla- ces where our spirit floats. It’s also an exhibition that fascinates by his modernity, but it is as well a kind of modernity accessible to all the minds …”

Paulo Barros (painter)

The Crucified Christ couldn’t be better represented in this admirable exhibition.Smashing, sublime, these are some words I can say but without fully accomplishment for what how much I want aggrandize so marvellous work that, in happy time this gallery just inaugurated. Everybody, believer or not, must feel the smashing strength and impact this canvas represents. To myself I did feel small before so much grandeur and truth In this Crucified Christ. Congratulations by the colleague Fernando Lory (painter)

The admirable combination of the artist’s art with the most profound expressed feelings, makes these painter’s canvas a unique moment in the Portuguese’s art M. Teresa Aragão Vasconcelos Osorio. Exists a mystic splendour, the transfiguration by the immeasurable time of some figures that allow (if we don’t read the titles) a way to a shadow and to the mystery WICH IS ALL and from what we know nothing… (impression impressionist) 

Fernando Botto Semedo

Only from a beautiful inward full of fine feelings can flow somewhat so marvellous. Congratulations

Sara Celeste

Congratulations to the painter, to the gallery and to the analytical criticism done by another great painter ;Edgardo Xavier.It’s João José’s second exhibition I could see and these artist, always surprises me. It’s as if the painters, poets, musicians, in short, all the artists, has the magic power to open doors and windows for the dreams and for the beautiful. 

M. A. Santos

Congratulations for the fine quality of the paintings in exhibition. Never before I could see religious paintings with this type of characteristics, where the figures show a so big mysticism on these soft and affectionate drawings!.. 

Natalina Patricio

João José proof to us with his religious art, that it can be once more “ vanguard painting “ but of real good “ Vanguard “.

Soares Branco (sculptor)

“…João José seems to make hyssops from his brushes, sprinkling his canvas with beautiful “glocos” marked by genius (and inspired) using the celestial’s sky as palette from the rainbow that only the artists can see!.. “ If you believe in somewhat, you exist “ João José wants to tell it to us in his magnificent canvas now in exhibition…”

Antonio Pimenta (art critic)

One of the best exhibitions I ever seen in this gallery. I find remarkable the contrast between the tranquil character of some themes, for example “ the Nativity “ and the intensive explosion of colours!..

Vitor Vasconcelos

The technique applied by João José, takes and reflects his imagination, giving to us the pleasure of observing the artistry from whom is realy an artist. 

Idalina Isabel

After appreciation of the paintings in exhibition (admirable the numbers 25 and 28) STAY in us the imperishable mark of the sacred, and our gratitude to the artist STAYS , specially if his capacity to succeed in maintaining his message STAYS in our souls, after we left the exhibition.

Manuel Passos

So simple and so strong, so familiar and so Masterly!.. Warm Congratulations 

Herminia Conceiçao

Simply spectacular!!! May God illuminate and protect this marvellous artist. 

Margarida Bica