Ana + Betânia are Ana Cruz and Maria de Betânia (b. 1983).
In 2007, after completing their degrees in Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon, Ana and Betânia began working in ceramic sculpture within the framework of the institution's research program in artistic ceramics. While each had a distinct individual artistic voice, their joint artistic journey formally began in 2012, as grant holders and resident artists at the event Muel Cerámica Viva, in Zaragoza. Since then, they have collaborated closely, developing a conceptual practice rooted in classical sculptural techniques.
Following two years as resident artists at the Oficinas da Cerâmica e da Terra in Montemor-o-Novo, they established themselves in Caldas da Rainha, where their studio is now based.
In 2013, Ana Cruz became the first Portuguese ceramicist to be admitted as a member of the International Academy of Ceramics.
The following year, in 2014, the duo was awarded First Prize at the Bienal d’Esplugues for their piece Em nome do Pai ("In the Name of the Father"). In 2017, they received an Honorable Mention at CERCO Zaragoza. These recognitions reinforced the continuity of their partnership and the growing impetus to expand its reach.
Through various collaborations with contemporary art galleries, such as FOCO Gallery, UNDERDOGS Gallery, or Pura Cal in Lisbon, ana+betânia have participated in international art fairs such as Istanbul Art Fair, JustMad Madrid, and Volta Basel. In 2021, they created a series of eleven pieces for the project Reliquary Walking Dead, commissioned by Fox Portugal (now Star Channel) which featured in several itinerant exhibitions dedicated to television and the fantastic genre, and also at Comicon Lisbon.
Their work, trajectory, and vision have been featured in publications including Vogue Portugal, Revista Cristina, Observador Lifestyle, ParqMag, Portuguese Soul, and Keramika magazine.
Education
2002-2008: B.A. and M.F.A. in Painting and Ceramics, Fine Arts Faculty of Lisbon University, PT.
Note
2013 - present: Ana Cruz is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics (I.A.C.).
2009 - present: Both Ana and Betânia are art therapists at two mental health institutes in Lisbon.
Contests /Prizes
2017: 1rst Honorable Mention, CERCO, Zargoza, ES.
2014: 1st Prize, 17th Biennial of Esplugues, Barcelona, ES.
2011: Honourable mention, 10th Biennial of Artistic Ceramics, Aveiro, PT. (Maria de Betânia)
2010: Honourable mention, CERCO, Zaragoza, ES. (Ana Cruz)
2009: 3rd Prize, 9th Biennial of Artistic Ceramics, Aveiro, PT. (Ana Cruz)
Residencies
2015: Oficinas da Cerâmica e da Terra (Earth and Ceramics Center), Montemor-o-Novo, PT.
2014: Oficinas do Convento, Montemor-o-Novo, PT.
2012: “Muel Ceramics Alive” (residency and scholarship) at Escuela-Taller de Cerámica de Muel - with Rafa Perez and Miguel Molet -, Zaragoza, ES.
Artist Talks
2018:"Entre Falas", Faculty of Fine Arts, Lisbon, PT.
2015: Iberian Residency of Ceramics, National Tile Museum, Lisbon, PT.
Solo shows
2021: “TERRA”, Carrasco Gallery, Madrid, ES.
2020: “WILD FIRE”, UNDERDOGS Gallery Capsule, Lisbon, PT.
2018: "M A T E R", FOCO Gallery, Lisbon, PT.
2017: “Flesh Flowers”, Antonia Puyo Gallery, Zaragoza, ES.
2016: “Entre Folhos”, Council Gallery, Montemor-o-Novo, PT.
2015: “Femina”, Associação Abraço, Lisbon, PT.
Group Shows and Art Fairs
2021: VOLTA art fair, with Carrasco Gallery, Basel, CH.
ESTAMPA art fair, with Carrasco Gallery, Madrid, ES.
2019: “Invisible Thread” - Contemporary Art : Portugal and China, Macao, União das Cidades Capitais de Língua Portuguesa, Lisbon, PT.
Istanbul Contemporary art fair, with FOCO Gallery, Istanbul, TR.
“GENESIS”, FOCO Gallery, Lisbon, PT.
JustMAD art fair, with Antonia Puyó Gallery, Madrid, ES.
2018: “Sculpture and Ceramics Show”, Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, London, UK.
"Âmago", Bang Bang Gallery, Lisbon, PT.
2017: CERCO, Zaragoza, ES.
13th Biennial of Artistic Ceramics, Aveiro, PT
"Ouro sobre Azul", Jardins Efémeros, Viseu, PT.
“Manas das Caldas”, Caldas Late Night, Caldas da Rainha, PT.
2016: “Contemporary Ceramics”, Quartel Gallery, Abrantes, PT.
2015: “Barreiro Rocks” Music Festival, Barreiro, PT.
2015: 12th Biennial of Artistic Ceramics, Aveiro, PT.
2015: “Artistes Premisats”, Potters Association of Catalonia Gallery, Barcelona, ES.
2015: “Carmo is a womanly name”, Carmo’81 Gallery , Viseu, PT.
2015: “11”, Abraço Gallery, Lisbon, PT.
2014: “Give it a shot” (happening), Montemor-o-Novo, PT.
2013: “Face to Face: Portugal and China”, Fine Arts Faculty Gallery and Foyer of Lisbon University Rectorate, Lisbon, PT.
2012: “Virgin Capital” (happening), Muel, ES.
2012: “Museum-Kampus”, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Lisbon, PT.