Chillies, cashew, papaya, peanuts and many ingredients integral to desi cuisine were brought to India by Portuguese colonisers while sugarcane, pepper, mangoes and many Indian spices landed on Brazilian shores via the marine trade routes established during the fiercely competitive Age of Exploration.
As the steam engine was yet to be invented, it was the sea breeze and currents that made these transoceanic voyages possible. The pivotal role played by the sea breeze in this crossing of cultures is highlighted in the visual art exhibition titled ‘Maresia’ currently being held at the Museum of Goa (MOG) in Pilerne.
Curated by Subodh Kerkar, founding director of MOG and artist Pradeep Naik, ‘Maresia’ is a collaboration between MOG, the Consulate General of Portugal and Camões - Centro de Língua Portuguesa. The exhibition is open for public viewing until January 15, 2024, between 10 am and 6 pm.
“The exhibition aims to illustrate the profound impact of influences and cultures that preside over the relationship between Portugal and Goa from centuries ago to the present and contributes to a narrative specific to being Goan,” stated Isabel de Mendonça Raimundo, the Consul General of Portugal in Goa.
The title of the exhibition, coined by Delfim Correia da Silva, Director of Camões - Centro de Língua Portuguesa, is a Portuguese word ‘Maresia’ that translates to sea breeze in English and, according to Kerkar, perfectly encapsulates the overarching theme.
‘Maresia’ is made up of two synchronous exhibitions and is a juxtaposition of Goan artists creating works in response to Portuguese influences and a Portuguese artist creating art in response to Indian influences.
Fifteen Goan artists — Bhisaji Gadekar, Diptej Vernekar, Kalidas Mhamal, Pradeep Naik, Rajendra Mardolkar, Sachin Naik, Santosh Morajkar, Shailesh Dabholkar, Shilpa Mayenkar, Shripad Gurav, Siddharth Gosavi, Siddharth Kerkar, Siddhesh Chari, Viraj Naik and Subodh Kerkar — have their artworks on display in a collective exhibition.
‘Maresia – Goa’ is the title of the collective exhibition by artists from the Goa Artist Collective and other invited artists that explores the influences of Portuguese rule on various aspects of Goan life, with cultural fusion surrounding architecture, lifestyle and religion emerging as a key theme.
"It serves as a visual diary of Goa’s evolving identity and depicts both personal and shared stories of Goa's journey through time,” stated Kerkar.
Portuguese artist Ivo Moreira is holding a solo exhibition which is titled ‘Maresia – Portugal’. It explores his spiritual connection with Goa and India. The artworks are influenced by his travels in India and Goa over the last 20 years, drawing inspiration from Indian philosophy, Portuguese literature and the works of artists, authors, and spiritual thinkers.