Isabel Carvalho Opens the 2nd Edition of Great Artists on Campus in Porto

Following the success of the 1st edition, Lusófona University - Porto University Centre hosted the first session of the 2nd edition of the Great Artists on Campus series on 25 September, featuring a masterclass by multidisciplinary artist Isabel Carvalho. The event provided an opportunity to share insights into the artist's career, shaped by more than three decades of practice and the exploration of different artistic languages and materials.

During the session, Isabel Carvalho discussed the role of drawing as the starting point for developing her work, presenting it as a foundation that runs through different processes and forms of expression. The artist explained that, even when it is not visibly apparent in the final result, drawing remains present at the origin of the work. “Drawing is always the beginning. Tearing, that is, that key moment at the start, always begins with drawing. [...] It may not always be explicit [...] but drawing is always the foundation”, she stated.

The discussion also explored different stages of the artist's career, including her use of the pseudonym Clara Batalha and how this identity helped her overcome certain barriers and expectations associated with her artistic output. Isabel Carvalho also reflected on issues relating to ecofeminism and institutional critique, connecting these perspectives with her choice of materials and working processes.

Another topic addressed was the use of materials often regarded as secondary or overlooked, such as ceramics and kaolin, as tools for questioning modes of production and value in contemporary art. The manual dimension of the artistic process thus emerged as an important part of the reflection on the relationship between material, creation and thought.

The session also covered the artist's editorial work through the independent magazine Leonorana, highlighting how her practice extends beyond the production of artworks and engages with the creation of spaces for the circulation and discussion of art. Isabel Carvalho also shared some insights into the preparation of her next major retrospective exhibition, scheduled to take place at Galeria Municipal do Porto.

The discussion was led by João Sousa Cardoso, Director of the Bachelor's Degree in Audiovisual Communication and Multimedia at Lusófona University, who guided the artist through the presentation of her career and the discussion of the different dimensions of her practice.

The session offered an insight into an artistic career shaped by experimentation and the intersection of different languages, highlighting drawing, material and critical reflection as central elements of Isabel Carvalho's practice.

Credits

Text and Image and Video Editing
Gabriel Motta

Event Coverage
Susana A. Oliveira

Voice-over
Helena Gonçalves