Watercolour paper, 32 × 24cm
Portugal-born artist Joana Galego’s images are informed by – in her words – ‘memories and feelings rather than actual events’. Firmly rooted in drawing, her paintings and works on paper are characterised by a vibrant palette and a visual language partly inspired by historical artists.
This framed watercolour on paper is part of a new body of work titled ‘Hiding Behind Gifts’. Featuring the protective tree trunk seen in other works in the collection, the deep blue foliage and illuminated figure gives this image a theatrical quality. Works on paper play a key role within the artist’s practice, and are often made by Joana in tandem with larger paintings. She says; ‘the stories within the works may appear before they begin, or after I follow their lead. Sometimes, it’s the work taking me by the hand.’
This work was framed in maple by The Framing Room, London, behind anti-reflective, 70% UV resistant glass.
Joana graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2016 and subsequently moved to London to attend the Royal Drawing School between 2016 and 2017. Her work has been awarded prizes including The Sir Denis Mahon Award from the Royal Drawing School (2017) and she has undertaken several artistic residencies internationally.
Oliver Projects first exhibited Joana’s work in our 2023 group exhibition ‘Power Play’. A solo exhibition followed in Lisbon at Galeria Belard in spring 2024 and Soho Revue, London, presented a joint exhibition of work by Joana alongside Alice Macdonald in December 2024. Most recently, Joana’s work was included in ‘Monotypes’ at Messums, London; a solo exhibition was also presented by Isabel Sullivan Gallery in New York, USA in 2025. Joana currently lives and works in south east London.
Watercolour paper, 32 × 24cm
Portugal-born artist Joana Galego’s images are informed by – in her words – ‘memories and feelings rather than actual events’. Firmly rooted in drawing, her paintings and works on paper are characterised by a vibrant palette and a visual language partly inspired by historical artists.
This framed watercolour on paper is part of a new body of work titled ‘Hiding Behind Gifts’. Featuring the protective tree trunk seen in other works in the collection, the deep blue foliage and illuminated figure gives this image a theatrical quality. Works on paper play a key role within the artist’s practice, and are often made by Joana in tandem with larger paintings. She says; ‘the stories within the works may appear before they begin, or after I follow their lead. Sometimes, it’s the work taking me by the hand.’
This work was framed in maple by The Framing Room, London, behind anti-reflective, 70% UV resistant glass.
Joana graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2016 and subsequently moved to London to attend the Royal Drawing School between 2016 and 2017. Her work has been awarded prizes including The Sir Denis Mahon Award from the Royal Drawing School (2017) and she has undertaken several artistic residencies internationally.
Oliver Projects first exhibited Joana’s work in our 2023 group exhibition ‘Power Play’. A solo exhibition followed in Lisbon at Galeria Belard in spring 2024 and Soho Revue, London, presented a joint exhibition of work by Joana alongside Alice Macdonald in December 2024. Most recently, Joana’s work was included in ‘Monotypes’ at Messums, London; a solo exhibition was also presented by Isabel Sullivan Gallery in New York, USA in 2025. Joana currently lives and works in south east London.
