Collection: Rui Gomes da Silva, visual artist

Rui Gomes da Silva began painting and drawing as a child, achieving early recognition by painting a school panel at age 12. He was a top art student and started illustrating poem books and creating comic books.

Education and Early Career
- Completed an Art History course at A.R.C.O. and a serigraphy course with Professor José Peixoto.
- Involved in the New Writers Movement and avant-garde cultural happenings in Lisbon.
- Studied music at Academia Amadores de Musica.
- Worked in publicity painting and scenography.

Artistic Journey
- Exhibited work in collective exhibitions, earning 2nd place in a painting contest at the 1ª Salão Primavera, Loures, in 1982 and an honorary mention in 1983.
- Traveled through Europe at 18, exploring modern art movements and exhibiting in Madrid, Amsterdam, and Paris.
- Visited Morocco in 1975, influencing his work with surreal and dreamlike elements.
- Lived in Caldas da Rainha from 1985, working in ceramic design with international colleagues.
- Since 1999, has been living fully from his art.

Exhibitions and Recognitions
- Approximately 300 collective exhibitions and 100 individual exhibitions.
- Notable galleries include Galeria Almadad’arte, Bienal Vila Nova Cerveira, and Galeria Arte Urbana.

Media and Publications
- Featured on the TV show Programa Amigo Publico, RTP, in 2001.
- Public artworks at Edificio Cereja, Caldas da Rainha, and Hotel Tivoli Tejo, Expo Lisbon.
- Mentioned in the Anuário de Pintores do Oeste and the book “Cem Pintores Contemporâneos” by Ernesto Neves.