Description
Francisco (Xesko) Santos was born in 1962 in Angola, in the city of Luanda. He presented a summary of his artistic principles early on, in 1977, in what he called the "Manifesto do Dispersionismo" (Manifesto of Dispersionism), which he updated in 2002. He boasts a diverse and rich creative journey: in painting, screen printing, drawing, literature, music, and theatre. A staunch critic of the "art world" as an institution, he challenges it by championing freedom and rebellion. He sees these as inherent qualities that artists possess, and he claims these traits for himself.
Works
2010, Sheffield
seven-colour hand screen printing on paper 44 x 55,1 cm
Xesko explains that colours in Angola carry specific symbolic meanings; however, they have been adapted in this series of masks, and "Kalelwa" is no exception. Associated with the Côkwe ethnic group, it was initially associated with the Mukanda camps, regarded as their protective spirit and displaying an aggressive demeanour.
2010, Sheffield
seven-colour hand screen printing on paper 44 x 55,1 cm
Originally crafted from wood and/or ephemeral materials, this symbolic portrayal of the "Cihongo" mask, also associated with the Côkwe ethnic group, evokes the masculine spirit of wealth and authority and is therefore passed down to the Soba or one of his nephews. Xesko's mask series stands out for its intricacy.
Loading
Biography
1962 – Luanda, Angola
Visual Artist – Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Installation, Video/Cinema, Screen Printing, Printmaking, Watercolour and Etching
He is also involved in literary creation, theatre, and music.
At the age of 15, he published the "Manifesto do Dispersionismo" (Manifesto of Dispersionism) in "The Bantalas", a magazine dedicated to the Arts that he founded and directed. In this Manifesto, he presents a synthesised idea of his theory/thesis for the Arts, a concept he would strengthen years later, in 2002.
He held the title of National Champion in Swimming (from 1972 to 1980) and Chess (1977 and 1979), representing Angola abroad on numerous occasions, most recently at the Olympic Games in Moscow (1980).
His vast educational background includes:
Master's degree in "Contemporary Fine Art", Sheffield Institute of Arts (Sheffield Hallam University), UK
Course on "Improvement in Painting Techniques for Oil Portraits", promoted by the PhD Fine Art and Painter, Almaia
Course on "Art of Painting" by the National Society of Fine Arts (SNBA), Lisbon, Portugal
Course on "Photography and Graphic Design" from IADE, Portugal
Courses on "Scientific Drawing" and "Creative Thinking in Post-Modernism", Moscow College of Sciences
Degree in Chemical Engineering, Moscow College of Sciences
He has been participating in collective exhibitions since 1978, with the first one being "Um quadro para a Revolução" (A Painting for the Revolution), in Luanda. Between 1978 and 2005, he held several solo exhibitions, starting with "O Poder da Revolução" (The Power of the Revolution), in 1979, also in Luanda; then in Belarus, former USSR, in 1981, followed by another one in Luanda a year later. He held his first exhibition in Lisbon titled "7 Sombras de Gray" (7 Shades of Gray) in 2004.
In 2005, he returned to collective exhibitions, this time in Lisbon, at the Belém Military Hospital. He participated in other collective exhibitions in 2006 and 2007, when he was also present at Alcarte, in Alcochete. He consistently showcased his works in Portugal until 2017, participating in both solo and collective exhibitions in Lisbon, Alcochete, Ourém, and Porto.
In 2009, he participated in collective exhibitions in Vigo, Spain; in the USA, in New York City; in London, United Kingdom; and in Paris, France. In 2010 and 2011, he showcased his work in Sheffield, again in the United Kingdom, at both the SIAD Gallery and the Furnival Gallery, this time in a collective exhibition.
He is represented in institutional collections in Portugal.
Interview
Back
Back to the top
2010, Sheffield
seven-colour hand screen printing on paper 44 x 55,1 cm