Opening of the Exhibition Ba Bao Fan by Bernardo Liu Marks the First Solo Show at Galeria Refresco
On February 13, starting at 6 PM, Galeria Refresco will open the exhibition ‘Ba Bao Fan’ by Bernardo Liu at Rua do Rosário, 26, in downtown Rio de Janeiro. This show marks the gallery’s first solo exhibition of its represented artists and features curation and critical text by Julie Dumont. Bringing together 36 artworks, Ba Bao Fan references the “Eight- Treasure Rice,” a traditional Chinese dessert whose round shape and sweet taste symbolize unity and happiness. As Dumont’s highlights, this dish is a common presence at Asian festive tables. The exhibition’s theme connects Eastern cultural elements with familiar yet unexpected Brazilian landscapes. It also serves as a reflection of the artist’s personal and family history, recalling the immigration of his grandfather, of Chinese descent, to Brazil. The “affective tapestry” that Liu constructs—using the artist’s own expression—transcends individual experience to create a shared daily connection between different peoples.
The opening coincides with the Chinese New Year, adding an intriguing layer to the event, set against the backdrop of Brazil’s early-year festivities. In Ba Bao Fan, food emerges as an inseparable form of cultural expression and an allegory for the nourishing role of art. Liu blends pictorial techniques with culinary practices, using artistic materials as ingredients to create a cultural umami recipe, where sweet and savory intertwine—a national dish shared by countries that are distant yet deeply connected. The lightness of acrylic oil paint coexists with the bold brushstrokes of traditional oil paint, forming a bittersweet balance for the visual palate. The color palette—witch carries distinct symbolic meanings in different cultures—melds into a delicious stir-fry of images and objects.
According to Julie Dumont: “Under the protection of the snake that guides this new cycle of the Chinese calendar, Bernardo Liu paints a personal portrait of a plural Brazil, rich in affections and cultural elements brought from distant lands, seamlessly woven into a mixed race daily life. The artist invites the audience to an unpretentious celebration—an open table featuring ginseng guaraná, instant noodles, sweet rice, and salty beans. A visual homage to the richness of a diverse world, where kitsch, symbolism, and the desire for painting merge with the intentionality of a cook who, over slow heat, crafts a recipe capable of awakening long-buried memories and emotions.”
About Bernardo Liu
Bernardo Liu is a Brazilian artist born in Rio de Janeiro (1992), where he currently lives and works. His artistic research is deeply rooted in ancestral Eastern memory and everyday impressions, portraying familiar objects to create an affective tapestry that evokes nostalgia. His work spans various techniques, including painting, sculpture, and installations, exploring themes such as identity, memory, popular culture, and miscegenation Liu investigates the duality between East and West in a highly globalized world, incorporating symbolic elements from both traditions.
About Galeria Refresco
Since 2024,Galeria Refresco has occupied a prominent exhibition space in Rio de Janeiro’s historic downtown, dedicated to consolidating a new generation of artists. Founder and partner Déborah Zapata emphasizes the gallery’s integrated and transversal approach to artistic production, offering a range of initiatives that span from nurturing emerging talent to integrating them into the art market. This broad vision strengthens artistic production, establishes a comprehensive curatorial direction, and elevates the cultural debate among independent agents, artists, and institutions. Refresco also collaborates with governmental cultural incentive programs, having been selected for major funding programs in Rio de Janeiro, including Todas as Artes (via the Aldir Blanc Law) and Reviver Cultural Centro.
“Ba Bao Fan” – Solo exhibition by Bernardo Liu, organized by Galeria Refresco
Galeria Refresco – Rua do Rosário, 26,Rio de Janeiro
Dates: February 13 – April 5
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 12:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM