Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães (CIAJG)
The Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães is virtually next door to the Museu Arqueológico da Sociedade Martins Sarmento in Guimarães. The museum is located just outside the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic old town.
History
The museum was part of the redevelopment of the Municipal Market by the Portuguese architectural firm, Pitágoras Arquitetos. The design won a number of domestic awards.
The space opened in 2012 when Guimarães was the European Capital of Culture.
The museum is named after locally-born artist José de Guimarães. His collections of African tribal art and other art works form part of the museum.
Exhibits
The museum houses collections of African tribal art, Pre-Columbian South American art, Chinese art and works by José de Guimarães and other contemporary artists.
These African tribal art collection consists of 5,000 pieces that José de Guimarães began in 1967.
The items on display include superb masks and sculptures from mainly west and central Africa including Benin, Cameroon, Gabon and Togo. The pieces are produced from various local raw materials such as clay, metal, stone, vegetable fibres and wood.
The figures often depict animals or hybrid beings such as bird-men, leopard-men, monkey-men or human figures that represent deceased ancestors.
The collection of Pre-Columbian South American art consists of works in a variety of materials: stone such as jade, terracotta and textiles.
There are fine examples of Andean textiles, Aztec statues along with metalwork among the 300 items on display.
The Chinese collection consists of pieces from the personal collection of José de Guimarães. By date they range roughly from the Neolithic period to the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han dynasties (206 BC-220 AD).
There are pieces in bronze, jade and terracotta including ritual objects, vessels and weapons used in both animal and human sacrifice.
Other displays are of jewelry, such as bracelets and pendants that would have been worn by the elite of the time. There are also axes, censers, figurines, lamps masks, wine vessels and other items.
Finally, the diverse collection of art by José de Guimarães includes drawings, paintings, sculptures and textiles produced over half a century of work.
Furthermore, the museum has a shop, a conference room and a black box experimental theater.
Access
Av. Conde Margaride
175 Guimarães 4810-535
Tel: 351 253 424 715
www.ciajg.pt
Admission: 4 Euro fee with concessions for students and people over 65 years of age; the Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães can also be entered using the Guimarães Pass (15 Euros or 18 Euros with the Teleférico).
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 1 pm;
2 pm to 7 pm (last entry 6.30 pm).
Nearby
The museum is close to the Museu Arqueológico da Sociedade Martins Sarmento, Toural Square and the Casa da Memória.
Hotels in Guimarães include the four star Santa Luzia ArtHotel, the four star EMAJ Boutique Hotel and the Hotel da Oliveira, also four star.
Other places to stay in the city include the four star Hotel de Guimarães and the pleasant Stay Hotel Guimarães Centro, adjacent to the railway station. The budget HI Hostel Guimarães - Pousada de Juventude is a cheaper option.
