Biography of Francisco SANTOS (XESKO)

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 Xesko (Francisco Lopes dos Santos) born May 17, 1962 is a Visual Artist, Angolan/Portuguese born in Angola on May 17, 1962 and currently living in the UK.

Precursor of Dispersionismo argues that the evolution of art began with early pre-historical paintings, blossoming all over the world through human stable communities, restructuring when they found other communities re-clashing each other, thereby refuting the established history of art. He published the first Dispersionist Manifesto in 1977 with only 15 years old, and finally redesigns it in 2002.

Since very young he was dedicate to the Arts and the Sport. Began writing at the 14 Years old and painting to the 16 (Watercolours and Chinese ink). In that time, published some short stories and poems in several magazines and newspapers.

His interest by painting avenged until 1986, time in that personal problems caused him to stop having started again painting in the year of 2002. From 1986 to 1999 he was involved in several musical and theatrical projects as a technician, musician, producer and director, writing several adaptations and two original pieces. During that time never stopped to having new ideas, being strongly influenced by the African art and the vast work of Salvador Dali.

In the secondary School, was a Founder and Publisher of the Magazine "The Bantalas" entirely dedicated to the Arts (Art Painting, Photograph, Prose and Poetry) and participated in a contest of Art Painting whose objective was the creation of a poster commemorative of the anniversary of the M. P. L. A. obtaining the 1st place.

In Sports, was widely highlighted, obtaining several titles of National Champion, in Swimming (consecutively from 1972 to 1980) and Chess (1977 and 1979). He also represented is nation abroad several times, being the last time in the Olympic Games of Moscow (1980).

Noticeable Militant of the Youth of the Party (J.M.P.L.A.) left the politics when he moved to Portugal in 1986.

He obtained a Degree in Chemical Engineering in the Ex. Soviet Union (with a Scholarship). In the Ex. Soviet Union he also frequented and completed the Courses of "Scientific Drawing" and "Creativity Thought in the Post-Modernism".

In Portugal, frequented and completed the Courses of "Photography and Graphic Design" and "Data Processing, Systems Engineering and Programming".

In 2002, obtained the Diploma from the Course of "Improvement in Painting Techniques for Oil Portraits", administered by the PhD Painter Almaia, having been invited for him to work in his atelier, where he remained till 2009 period when he moved to the UK to continue their studies (MA Contemporary Fine Art).

He has several works displayed in public places and is represented in private and official collections in Angola, Brazil, France, Portugal, Russia, Spain and the UK.

Education

Solo Exhibitions

2009 - "Devaneios/Reveries" Gallery Vasco da Gama, (Loures/Portugal).
2008 - "E Pluribus Unum" First Gallery, (Lisbon/Portugal).
2004 - "7 Shades of Gray", Café da Ponte, Docas de Alcântara, (Lisbon/Portugal).
1982 - "Butterfly Effect", Humbi-Humbi Art Gallery, (Luanda/Angola).
1981 - "Freedom", Scientific Institute of Minsk, (Minsk/Bielorussia - Ex. U.S.S.R.).
1979 - "The Power of Revolution" – Noble Room from EDIL, (Luanda/Angola).

 

Group Exhibitions

                   2009 - Around the Bull - Gallery Vieira Portuense (Porto/Portugal).
                   2009 - Open Gallery, Museum "Jorge Vieira", (Beja/Portugal).
                   2009 - Alcarte, (Alcochete/Portugal).
2009 - United in Art Brazil and Portugal II, Gallery Praça do Pelourinho, (Ourem/Portugal).
2009 - Visual Poetry in Paris, Gallery Artitude, (Paris/France).
2009 - Art Meeting in London III, Gallery 118, (London/UK).
2009 - Artexpo NY, (New York/U.S.A).
2009 - Puro Arte, (Vigo/Spain).
                    2008 - Xmas 2008, (Lisbon/Portugal).
                   2008 - "Seas, villages and other stories...", (Alcochete/Portugal).
2008 - Alcarte, (Alcochete/Portugal).
                   2008 - "The Magnificent 5", (Alcochete/Portugal).
2008 - "Art Outside the Gallery", (Alcochete/Portugal).
                   2007 - Anniversary of C.R.P. 50, (Lisbon/Portugal).
2007 - Alcarte, (Alcochete/Portugal).
                    2007 - "Remember April, commemorations of the 25 of April and 1ts of May", (Alcochete/Portugal).
2007 - "1ts National Exhibition of Fine Arts", (Lisbon/Portugal).
                    2006 - "Things about Campolide", (Lisbon/Portugal).
                    2005 - Military Hospital of Belem, (Lisbon/Portugal).
                    1978 - "A painting for the Revolution", Noble Room of the National  Assembly, (Luanda/Angola).