NEW BEDFORD – Self-taught New Bedford artist Eufemia Reis mostly draws inspiration from her ethnic roots and own experiences, and particularly enjoys painting the beauty and strength of African women.
Born in Angola to Cape Verdean parents, her most prominent works are infused with spiritual and cultural aspects of Lusophone Africa and Portugal as she lived in Lisbon for more than four decades before coming to the United States 12 years ago.
“My signature pieces, that carry my image, are geometric paintings that mainly depict women,” said Reis, who is known in the art world as Gamboa, her father’s family name with origins in the Algarve.
Who are Eufemia Reis’ favorite subjects?
She said most of her pieces tell a story. Her favorite muse is the African woman because of her resilience despite the realities of the broken world around her.
“Women are very important beings,” Reis stressed. “They bring new people into the world, take care of their family and home. Unfortunately, we know that in certain countries and certain cultures women are not treated as they should. We know that in underdeveloped countries, it’s not easy. I always have that in the back of my mind.”
One of her favorite collections is called African Women. A work in progress, it includes a series of oil paintings, each portraying a woman in a different stage of the cycle of life. In one painting, a woman is pregnant. In another, she is breastfeeding. In another, she is carrying a baby on her back using a traditional piece of fabric.
“The idea is to do 10 paintings altogether,” Reis said. “Two of these paintings are currently on display at the Gallery X in New Bedford.”
She said she has lost count of how many times she has painted African women.
Outside of the African Women collection, one of her preferred paintings depicts an African woman wearing a head scarf, which she accomplished by mixing oil paint with African printed fabric to highlight ethnic beauty and traditions. Another favorite painting features an African woman’s back view.
“She is turning her back to her homeland; she is leaving in search of a better life and new horizons,” explained Reis. “It’s called ‘Turning your back on the world.’ I used different colors to represent various situations she’ll find along the way. Gold represents the good things she’ll see.”
The batuqueiras are also among Reis’ most popular subjects. They are women who perform a lively and rhythmic dance that is an integral part of Cape Verdean culture.
She has also painted Cape Verdean children.
“One painting is called ‘The Horizon,’” she said. “It shows a child lost in thought, wondering what’s beyond the place where he’s at. It reminds me of the children of Brava Island – the island my mother and husband were born in. It’s the smallest and most remote [inhabited] island in Cape Verdean. For them, even moving to another island is already a big step and adventure.”
Although Reis does a lot of portraitures, she also enjoys painting landscapes. Her brushstrokes have captured beautiful images of the Azores, Lisbon, Greece, and many other locations.
Portuguese folklore is often featured in her work, especially the colorful traditional dancers hailing from the Minho region in northern Portugal.
She has also painted the Schooner Ernestina, which for many years carried immigrants and cargo between Cape Verde and the United States.
What mediums does Eufemia Reis work in?
Reis’ art pieces show off her versatility across mediums and ability to mix colors and shapes. She has painted so much more than canvases. Ceramics, glass, fabric, clothes, shoes, furniture, leather… she has painted them all. She also likes to decoupage, which involves cutting out pictures, gluing them to an object and then coating the pictures and the object with layers of varnish.
“I am very curious; I love to experiment with all types of materials,” she said, noting that art has been a passion of hers ever since she was very young.
“I’ve loved painting and drawing ever since I was little,” she added. “In school, I wasn’t very productive because I was always distracted making my drawings. When my parents went to a school meeting, it was always the same conversations.”
Does Eufemia Reis exhibit her artwork?
Reis said most of her paintings can be found in private homes.
While living in Portugal, she would exhibit her work somewhat regularly. Now that she’s more acclimated to this country, she said it’s something she’d love to do locally.
She recently displayed her work at the Consulate of Portugal in New Bedford, and presently has a few pieces on view at the Gallery X, located at 169 William St., New Bedford.
Eufemia Reis establishes House of Gamboa. What is it?
She currently has a virtual gallery and a small space called ‘House of Gamboa’ at HUB 128 collaborative workspace, located on the third floor of the DeMello International Center at 128 Union St., New Bedford.
She accepts commissions for paintings and other types of art. She also does home décor and event planning.
“My dream is to have a street-facing space with a window front,” she said. “Maybe one day.”
For more information about Eufemia Reis or House of Gamboa, visit https://www.houseofgamboa.com or send an email to info@houseofgamboa.com
