Before we get into your work, can you just tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a Portuguese artist from Lisbon. I am 24 and I have a Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering. I am a very positive person and I love the sun and warm weather more than anything else. I am very extrovert and I love to collaborate with different people, and to get to know and connect with others. I enjoy travelling a lot, in a way to expand my mind and to cultivate my ideas..
I have a fondness for felines, enjoy playing sports and exercising, and have an eclectic taste in music. At times, I can be talkative, while other times I prefer quiet contemplation. Although not a frequent visitor, I have a fascination for hot springs. I also have a few favorite dishes that I adore, including Colombian Ajiaco, Tibetan momos, and Italian pizza. I do not take things too seriously ( maybe my work sometimes can play against that idea haha) and enjoy smiling and laughing.
We are curious about your past and your style. When did you get started with art, what are your preferred topics and how would you describe your style?
My artistic journey started when I was on the 2nd year of my bachelors in Electrical Engineering and wanted something to relax and distract myself, so I randomly started painting. Naturally with time, the pieces started to pile up at my house and I had to find a way to sell them - and that’s when I created my art account on instagram that everything changed. For the following 4 years, while I was still studying, I continued to paint as a hobby and was selling my artworks here and there, until I finished my master’s and decided to pursue art full time for one year to see if it could work out. Two years have passed since then and I am still doing it, so I guess this is my life now.
To be part of our project, we asked each artist to address certain topics in their designs that we should all think about more often. Can you briefly explain what your designs are about and what message you want to convey with your designs for maezen.
The designs made for this collection focus a lot on what it is to be human, physically but mainly spiritually.
The eyes represent our mind, our goals, our desires and our ability to see further. I designed it as a representation of the third eye, that provides perception beyond ordinary sight - our intuition. I believe that the best things are not to be seen, but to be felt, and I think that the third eye is the best representation of that.
The mouth here is a physical part of the human body, but which has a strong connecting with the spirit. It is through where we can express our intellect, our ideas, and it is the way we connect with others.
The back embroidery, “when you cross my mind”, is exactly about our connection with other humans - be it in terms of love, friendship, or a simple moment shared in our lifeline. By connecting, we stimulate our mind, making it more vibrant, harmonious and colourful - and that’s what I believe in.
Last question, is there one thing which is important to you that you would like to share with our community?
I think of life is a never-ending game, one where we continuously strive to become better versions of ourselves and contribute to the growth of humanity. Change is the only constant, and growth is the driving force behind it. While it may be a challenging journey filled with crises and obstacles, they are all part of the process of evolution. To lead a fulfilling life, we need to actively commit to progressing and working towards our goals. Like any well-played game, we must approach life with excitement and embracing the unexpected.
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