On October 18th, a guided visit was held exclusively for the members of 100 Collectors at Galeria FOCO, where curator Julia Flamingo – one of our team members – explored the new series of works by artist Bartolomeu Santos. The central theme of the exhibition revolves around friendship—a concept the artist considers a major cliché, yet one that evokes the complexities of human relationships.

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During the visit, Julia explained the title of the exhibition, 'Friends and Foe' - and not Friends or Foe as it is commonly said - suggests that both coexist within us. Bartolomeu's artworks serve as a means to explore these ambiguous relationships, allowing the audience to experience the tension between control and chaos, completion and process.

One of the key features of the exhibition is the use of sponges, which represent the flexibility and absorbency that we should cultivate in our lives. As the participants observed the sponges expanding and occupying the gallery space, they were led to reflect on how life unfolds through unexpected encounters. Bartolomeu emphasised the importance of valuing the creative process, including mistakes and fresh starts, rather than following a linear path.

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While guiding the members through the space, Julia discussed how his everyday materials transform into metaphors for the human experience. His pieces, made with tools from his studio, invite the audience to consider art as a reflection of everyday life, closer to the “patchwork making” than to immutable monuments.The guided visit was an incredible opportunity for the members of 100 Collectors to connect with the artist's vision and reflect on the relationship between art, life, and the nuances of human interactions.