Maria João Vale
Despite her retirement from the educational field, Vale's thirst for exploration and discovery remained unquenched. In 2016, she embarked on a new chapter of her life by delving into the realm of photography, enrolling in a comprehensive three-year photography course at the National Society of Fine Arts in Lisbon. This formal training provided her with the technical skills and artistic insight necessary to bring her creative vision to life.
Since completing her formal education in photography, Vale has remained committed to honing her craft and expanding her artistic horizons. From 2019 to the present day, she has continued her education through training courses in "images" and "arts" at Xuventude da Galicia and Centro Galego of Lisbon, as well as participating in various photography workshops. This ongoing dedication to learning underscores Vale's unwavering commitment to artistic growth and development.
Vale's work has garnered widespread recognition, with her photographs being featured in books and other publications. Since 2015, she has showcased her work in numerous individual and collective exhibitions in Lisbon, including prestigious venues such as the Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum, the National Society of Fine Arts, Xuventude de Galicia, Centro Galego, and the Monumental Gallery. Through these exhibitions, Vale has captivated audiences with her evocative imagery, offering a unique perspective on the world through the lens of her camera.
For Vale, photography is more than just a technical skill—it is a medium through which she can explore, experiment, and create in the domain of her personal research. Her artistic philosophy is rooted in a deep appreciation for the diverse possibilities that photography offers, allowing her to challenge the boundaries of traditional photographic practice and push the limits of her creative expression.
As Maria João Vale continues to traverse new artistic frontiers, her work serves as a testament to the boundless potential of photography as an art form. With each photograph, she invites viewers to join her on a journey of discovery, encouraging them to see the world through a fresh and imaginative lens. In Vale's hands, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane is transformed into something truly remarkable.
