Inês Ribeiro is one of MiratecArts’ collaborating artists, who participates in the association’s events every year. Whether at one of the festivals or at the association’s headquarters, MiratecArts Galeria Costa, as was the case in this thirteenth edition of the Azores Fringe Festival.

“Paisagem da ilha” (Island Landscape) is Inês Ribeiro’s work, now housed in the “Canadian Backalley,” a section of the property dedicated to the connection between Canada and Portugal, which originated from the Portuguese-Canadian founder of the entity based on the island of Pico, Terry Costa. Canadian Backalley provides 13 stones from Pico, each marking a territory or province of Canada, on which artists propose projects that connect the two countries. Inês Ribeiro’s work was placed on the stone representing the province of Ontario, as it was inspired by the Azorean artist Domingos Rebêlo, who has a large collection, family, and has exhibited in this Canadian province.

“Inês is already part of the family,” admits the artistic director of MiratecArts. “From workshops to live shows and art pieces, the artist has an incredible track record in partnership with our association, which includes four ceramic illustration installations placed at our headquarters. Inês was also the first artist to participate while pregnant, and now her daughter is part of the program, which makes us very happy,” adds Terry Costa. His next project has Natália Correia in mind.

At MiratecArts Galeria Costa, with its 2.6 hectares of art in nature, there are more than 50 works. In 2024, more than 5,000 people visited the property, in addition to those who visit clandestinely, “because the gate is always open to anyone who wants to venture into research,” says Terry Costa, “including traces of some ephemeral pieces that nature has already taken over.”

“Clay is earth, and it connects us,” says Inês Ribeiro. “This work arises from an analysis of Domingos Rebêlo’s work Paisagem (Landscape) in contrast with the current landscape of the island, filtered through my eyes that observe and interpret it daily. The aim is to establish an illustrative dialogue with the landscape, an expression that obeys the language of the material itself, its formal structure, and its chromatic treatment.”

Artists with ideas for Canadian Backalley, or other areas of the property, can contact MiratecArts. A project supported by the Regional Directorate for Culture, Government of the Azores. www.miratecarts.com

From MiratecArts Press Release

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publications at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks the Luso-American Education Foundation for their support.