The globes focus on three distinct aspects: its people, nature and characteristics unified and displayed on two Saturn-like rings.

“Let's imagine a space where we could see the planet Earth from a few metres away. And what if, as well as being able to see it, we could modify it? Perhaps we could paint it a brighter colour, or draw a familiar face, an animal, a plant, or perhaps a mixture of all of these?” Karl Heinz Stock has accomplished just that through the eyes of 11 multicultural artists who came together to make this project a reality.

Over the coming weeks, we will dive into each of the continents whose stage is the Nobel Algarve British International School’s roundabout where the creative sculptures are showcased. This week we are transported to Europe, where these beautiful globes were painted by fantastic artists Jill Stott and Meinke Flesseman.


Artist Jill Stott is a long-term resident in the Algarve and is a well-known face in the Algarve’s art scene, where she not only is a fantastic artist but also leads drawing sessions with live nude models in the Algarve. Jill specialises in making expressive drawings of the human body, “My work in drawing, photographs and paintings is an appreciation of time, chance, poetry and the unimaginably real presence of things when studied.”

Credits: Supplied Image;

Jill was born in Lancashire, England in 1959 and studied at Norwich School of Art, England. Jill graduated in 1981, receiving a BA with Honours in Graphic Design and Photography. Her acutely observed drawings, paintings and photographs show an intimate concern for abstract form, ambiguous space games, rhythmic composition and sensual light. Her work has been shown in Britain and Portugal in numerous group exhibitions and is represented in private collections throughout Europe. Her Solo Exhibitions in Portugal include Lisbon, Fotogaleria Costa do Castelo (1990), Lagoa, Convento São José (1999), Olhão, The Crumbling Foundation (2010) and Tavira, Casa 5 (2011).


Jill’s Europe-inspired globe from the “Multifaceted Globes” project focuses on the characteristics of Europe and is incredibly striking. Jill explains “This globe celebrates free imagination. It is a state of being, where conjuration can happen. Intellectual curiosity, creating links, using words (Atlantic Ocean); fabrication, the invention of forms, design, use of materials when making something (Western Pacific). The huge female figures fill the world's oceans to their limits, overflowing with subconscious resources. Individually, their attitudes represent a germination of ideas in: musical composition (Eastern Pacific Ocean); Capricious imagination, humour, playfulness and mischief (Indian Ocean).”


Further adding “These are, on the whole, a celebration of freedom and variety in European culture and a hint of its influence around the world. From Minoan sarcophagi, archaic Greek temples, Etruscan statues, Italian Renaissance paintings, French Romanesque cathedrals, romantic and realistic literature through modern and postmodern music and film, from Scandinavian Celtic rock engravings to C17, from Spanish portraiture to contemporary Polish literature, the European imagination lives.”


Another familiar face to the Algarve’s art scene is Dutch artist Meinke Flesseman, whose work in my opinion is ethereal. Meinke has been in the Algarve for 23 years, having grown up here and has recently opened her own art gallery.


Meinke studied fine Art in Moscow and later at the Ruud Wackers Academy in Amsterdam. She is greatly influenced by her natural surroundings and one´s relationship with the land. Meinke creates layered textured canvases, producing depth and intensity of colour. Tonally sublime, the sweeping and confidant brushstrokes in her canvases take the viewer on an emotional journey. The landscapes seem to breathe fire, wind and rain. She has participated in numerous single and group exhibitions mainly in Portugal and the UK.


One of Meinke’s globes focuses on the people of Europe, where she explains the concept behind it “It showcases the "When" and "if" in the unification of Europe. For some desirable, for some frightening, to others holding, reaching, pulling, pushing. A dance. Once we need to believe that conflict should be avoided. But there you have it, unpredictability, life, rhythm.”


Meinke’s second Europe-inspired globe focuses on its nature, where she explained that “The divine union between the powerful godfather of the Greek pantheon and a young woman from Phoenicia, Europe, the epitome of feminine beauty on Earth. When Zeus fell into his charms, he turned himself into a bull and carried it under the waters to the coast of Crete, where she gave birth to three children. When she died, Zeus turned her into a star constellation. Until this day, Europe and the bull can be seen together in the sky. One The question remains to this day: is it still the bull that carries Europe?”

Author

Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK, Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism, where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years. Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news.

Cristina da Costa Brookes