O Amor e o Carinho Tudo Vencem
Love and care conquer all
My first permanent piece in a national museum
A Family Memory, Eternalized
In May 2025, my grandmother’s spirit was immortalized in the halls of Lisbon’s most visited museum — the Museu Nacional do Azulejo. Through a portrait made of traditional hand-painted tiles, I honored the woman who built the emotional architecture of my family: Vóvó Nana.
This is not just my first work to be permanently exhibited in a national museum — it is a sacred memory, sealed in ceramic and shared with the world.
Vóvó Nana — The Muse
Vóvó Nana wasn’t just my grandmother. She was the soul of our family. Her soft smile, light blue eyes, and gentle voice shaped Sunday dinners, reunions, and stories passed from generation to generation.
When the editorial team from A Magazine invited me to create a new piece for permanent display, I didn’t hesitate: this would be for her.
From Watercolor to Kiln — The Process
The journey began with a blue-toned watercolor sketch — a nod to Portugal’s centuries-old azulejo tradition. From there, I transferred the image to ceramic tiles, painting each detail by hand using the classic cobalt oxide pigment.
The tiles were then fired in a kiln at over 900°C, sealing her image in glaze — but I needed to go further.
In the final phase, I applied oil paint over the tile. This act — layering tradition with my personal language — was both a rebellion and a reconciliation. I needed to inject myself into the work as much as I was honoring her.
The Museum & Installation
On May 6th, 2025, the piece was unveiled at a special event in the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, now part of their permanent collection.
It was an emotional ceremony. I invited my whole family, and while my grandmother’s health had been declining since early 2024, her presence was felt in every hug, every tear, and every gaze at the finished piece.
