Instituto Pernambuco Porto on a Quadrilha Afternoon
2024-06-15
During festas juninas season, we discovered Instituto Pernambuco here in Porto, and ended up spending a few really lively afternoons there. On one of them, while the quadrilha rehearsal was going on, I found myself admiring the work of Mestre Abelardo da Hora, displayed in the garden. That statue is beautiful, with the voluptuous curves of a Brazilian woman and an almost divine presence to it.
There was also a nice exhibition happening there, honoring the Mestre on his 100th anniversary.
About Abelardo da Hora
Abelardo da Hora, from Pernambuco, was born in 1924 and passed away in 2014. He worked as a sculptor, drawer, engraver, ceramist, and teacher, and is considered one of the biggest names in the state’s visual arts. Instituto Pernambuco do Porto holds some of his pieces in its collection, both sculptures and works on paper, helping show that broader side of the artist to a Portuguese audience.
While my wife and daughter spun around at the quadrilha rehearsal, and the accordion music filled the afternoon air, the drawing came together. I made it with my usual pens and a few watercolor stains.