The youngest nation in the Asia-Pacific region, Timor-Leste, better known as East Timor, celebrated its tenth birthday in 2012. The country has gradually progressed over the last four years, diversifying its economy and reducing human-rights violations. However, Timor-Leste still has limited cultural funding, although international organizations, such as AusAID, UNESCO and Timor Aid, organize and sponsor events.
In the capital Dili, the heart of Timor-Leste’s contemporary art scene is the nonprofit Arte Moris, which was founded in 2003 by Swiss artist couple Gabriela and Luca Gansser. This school works closely with the community, offering free art education, hosting lectures and staging exhibitions with the support of government and private donors. Chilean artist Rocio Alcaman exhibited artworks produced during her stay in the city (9/5–10/6).
In the second-largest city, Baucau, the…