Ausencia D’Africa

Absence of Africa

Exhibition in Lisbon March 2025

This exhibition delves into the complexities of cultural absence and presence, intertwining my Angolan roots, Portuguese upbringing, and London-based artistry with the unique Cuban perspective of the talented Daniela Águila.

Special thanks to curators Andrea Pastore and Pedro Jaime Vasconcelos for bringing this vision to life.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHEZkqyNiXD/

My artistic practice serves as a bridge between worlds, emerging from the fertile ground of my Angolan heritage and nourished by the transformative power of female resilience. Born in Benguela in 1969 and raised between Huambo (formerly Nova Lisboa) and Portugal, I carry within me a vivid tapestry of memories that permeate my work: the orange sunsets embracing the savanna, the flamingos painting the skies of Lobito in pink, and the magenta bougainvillea framing the paths of my childhood.

These memories, passed down through four generations of my family in Angola, found refuge on my mother’s canvases—works that transformed the pain of forced exile into visual poetry. As a painter and mentor, she revealed to me how art can preserve cultural memory and process deep loss. The women in my family—my sisters, my mother, my grandmother—wove narratives of resilience that became the foundation of my artistic language.

My work transcends mere aesthetic representation to become a portal amplifying the voices and experiences of African women. Each piece is meticulously crafted to challenge dominant narratives and celebrate the multiplicity of African female identity. Through my art, I explore the contrast between Angola’s natural exuberance and the complex realities faced by its women—a juxtaposition that reveals extraordinary strength and grace under pressure.

The texture of my compositions echoes Africa’s diverse landscapes—from dense, fertile soils to coastal dunes shaped by the wind. My palette speaks the language of the continent: the deep blue of the Atlantic embracing Angola’s shores, the vibrant greens of untamed forests, the earthy reds of sacred soils, and the shimmering golds of dawn filtered through acacia trees.

My works pulse with the rhythm of Umbundu voices, the melodies of market conversations, and the eloquent silences of storytellers. The geometric patterns of traditional capulanas—textile narratives passed down through generations—are reborn in my compositions, transformed yet preserving their ancestral essence. The wisdom shared by elder women during ceremonies and daily rituals, often under the canopy of ancient baobab trees, imbues my work with layers of meaning that bridge tradition and transformation.

My artistic practice carries a mission: to document, celebrate, and uplift. Through it, I seek to create platforms for often-invisible stories, highlighting historical resilience and contemporary triumph. Each piece establishes a dialogue between past and present, the individual and the universal, opening space for reflections on identity, female power, and cultural legacy.

This current series of works goes beyond a personal journey—it is a commitment to amplifying the collective voice of African women. By exploring themes of identity, femininity, and empowerment through my artistic lens, I aim to contribute to a broader dialogue on representation and dignity. My art becomes a vehicle for celebrating not only the strength and beauty of African women but also their transformative impact on society.

The legacy I strive to create through my work extends beyond the canvas. It is a testament to the resilient spirit of African women, an invitation to future generations to recognize their own power, and a reminder that art can catalyze social change. Through each piece, I honor both the child born under the African sky and the women whose stories continue to inspire and guide my artistic vision.

Catarina Diaz

January 2025

Ausencia D’Africa Absence of Africa Exhibition in Lisbon

My artistic practice serves as a bridge between worlds, emerging from the fertile ground of my Angolan heritage and nourished by the transformative power of female resilience. Born in Benguela in 1969 and raised between Huambo (formerly Nova Lisboa) and Portugal, I carry within me a vivid tapestry of memories that permeate my work: the orange sunsets embracing the savanna, the flamingos painting the skies of Lobito in pink, and the magenta bougainvillea framing the paths of my childhood.

These memories, passed down through four generations of my family in Angola, found refuge on my mother’s canvases—works that transformed the pain of forced exile into visual poetry. As a painter and mentor, she revealed to me how art can preserve cultural memory and process deep loss. The women in my family—my sisters, my mother, my grandmother—wove narratives of resilience that became the foundation of my artistic language.

My work transcends mere aesthetic representation to become a portal amplifying the voices and experiences of African women. Each piece is meticulously crafted to challenge dominant narratives and celebrate the multiplicity of African female identity. Through my art, I explore the contrast between Angola’s natural exuberance and the complex realities faced by its women—a juxtaposition that reveals extraordinary strength and grace under pressure.

The texture of my compositions echoes Africa’s diverse landscapes—from dense, fertile soils to coastal dunes shaped by the wind. My palette speaks the language of the continent: the deep blue of the Atlantic embracing Angola’s shores, the vibrant greens of untamed forests, the earthy reds of sacred soils, and the shimmering golds of dawn filtered through acacia trees.

My works pulse with the rhythm of Umbundu voices, the melodies of market conversations, and the eloquent silences of storytellers. The geometric patterns of traditional capulanas—textile narratives passed down through generations—are reborn in my compositions, transformed yet preserving their ancestral essence. The wisdom shared by elder women during ceremonies and daily rituals, often under the canopy of ancient baobab trees, imbues my work with layers of meaning that bridge tradition and transformation.

My artistic practice carries a mission: to document, celebrate, and uplift. Through it, I seek to create platforms for often-invisible stories, highlighting historical resilience and contemporary triumph. Each piece establishes a dialogue between past and present, the individual and the universal, opening space for reflections on identity, female power, and cultural legacy.

This current series of works goes beyond a personal journey—it is a commitment to amplifying the collective voice of African women. By exploring themes of identity, femininity, and empowerment through my artistic lens, I aim to contribute to a broader dialogue on representation and dignity. My art becomes a vehicle for celebrating not only the strength and beauty of African women but also their transformative impact on society.

The legacy I strive to create through my work extends beyond the canvas. It is a testament to the resilient spirit of African women, an invitation to future generations to recognize their own power, and a reminder that art can catalyze social change. Through each piece, I honor both the child born under the African sky and the women whose stories continue to inspire and guide my artistic vision.

Catarina Diaz January 2025

The Influence of Fragonard on My Work

"Catarina Diaz’s artistic identity is inspired by the Rococo aesthetics of Fragonard, while simultaneously reinventing them through a contemporary lens and an innovative material approach. Where Fragonard mastered theatrical composition and dramatic staging, Diaz echoes this sensibility through elaborately posed figures set against rich, dark backgrounds, with ornate frames that heighten the theatrical presentation. The dynamic diagonals and flowing compositions—particularly evident in the movement of dresses and the luxurious hairstyles in her works—pay homage to the dramatic style of the French master while infusing it with renewed energy.

In terms of luxurious detail and ornamentation, Diaz reflects Fragonard’s dedication to sumptuous materials and decorative elements. Her meticulous attention to fabric textures, combined with gilded details and intricate floral motifs, captures the essence of Rococo’s decorative character. Her colour palette reveals a particular affinity with Fragonard’s signature style, utilizing soft pinks, rich golds, and creamy whites to create a luminosity that directly recalls the French artist’s paintings.

What sets Diaz’s interpretation apart is how she modernizes these classical elements through mixed-media techniques. Working with analogue collage on Somerset Enhanced Velvet—a medium known for its refined texture—she carefully selects and juxtaposes images to create compositions that evoke the visual richness of Rococo. The use of oils and gold leaf in her works adds depth and a painterly quality, seamlessly blending classical and contemporary elements into a unique visual language.

The atmosphere and ambiance of her pieces capture the fusion of Rococo elegance and fantasy, but from a distinctly modern perspective. Like Fragonard, Diaz constructs intimate narratives within each composition, yet her stories engage with a contemporary audience while paying homage to the timeless charm of the Rococo style. Her combination of traditional and innovative techniques demonstrates a profound understanding of Fragonard’s artistic principles, boldly transporting them into the modern era."