The Time of Images - Portuguese Center for Serigraphy

The exhibition O Tempo das Imagens (The Time of Images) opened at the National Library of Portugal in 2016, presenting some of the most recent graphic editions produced by the Centro Português de Serigrafia (CPS). It was the direct result of a protocol established in 2014 between the two institutions, under which one copy of each edition created by CPS artists would be donated to the National Library. A selection of 30 works from these recent editions was displayed, serving as a testament to the editorial, aesthetic, and technical projects of the Centre, bringing together both established and emerging artists. The exhibition ran until 30 April 2016, and marked the beginning of what would become a recurring biennial partnership between the CPS and the National Library. A central aim of the exhibition was to affirm the value and creative vitality of Portuguese graphic work across its principal techniques — screen printing, engraving, and lithography. Beyond the individual works on display, the protocol held broader significance in that it gave recognition and value to the private collections of all CPS members, while gradually forming a notable public collection of contemporary graphic art as part of Portugal's shared cultural heritage. The 2016 edition initiated what would become a biennial series of exhibitions in partnership with the Biblioteca Nacional, subsequently followed by further instalments in 2018, 2020, and 2023, each expanding the scope and reach of this ongoing commitment to preserving and promoting Portuguese graphic art.