UMA LULIK__ , founded by Miguel Leal Rios in 2017, focuses on the debate of contemporary culture and artistic practices. One of its goals is to contextualize Western artists with contemporary artistic production from emerging geographies such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. UMA LULIK_ represents Portuguese and foreign artists whose artistic practices cover a wide range of media, promoting them on an international scale with monographic and collective exhibitions, working with Portuguese and foreign curators and participating in international art fairs. The partnership with international galleries and other institutions is part of the gallery’s commercial and artistic strategy, with the aim of presenting Portuguese artists in the international market and foreign artists in Portugal.

“UMA LULIK__ is a very personal project that reflects the interest that grew and matured in me, as I got to know and experience the world, visiting and participating in the most considered art events. In addition to being a contemporary art gallery, it is also a place for discussion and for creating new audiences.

Many have asked me about the reason why I chose this name for the gallery. In East Timor, especially in ethnic tetum, “uma lulik” is seen not only as a place to store sacred objects, but also a place for meetings and activities of traditional rituals. It means sacred place, and it is a symbol of social unity of its inhabitants, of the community, as well.

The name of the gallery emerges, therefore, from my strong relationship with East Timor, where I lived during two years of my childhood. The memories of that experience are a heritage that I have kept alive and the UMA LULIK__ project is somewhat a tribute to a distant time, like the distant island that once received me”.

— Miguel Leal Rios

Image Credit: Isabel Cordovil