Portuguese Azulejos
Marta Amaro’s four ceramic tiles recall the granular textures of beach sand and the fluid movement of water. The drifting linear motifs are suggestive of the early life stages of oysters when juvenile oysters navigate ocean currents by sensing vibrational soundscapes, swimming toward the sound of healthy reefs where they attach and grow.
Amaro’s medium, Portuguese azulejos, historically served both decorative and protective roles, lining architectural surfaces. The practice has diverse origins—Islamic mosaic traditions as well as Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and Chinese design, reflecting the country’s relationship to the sea as a conduit to global trade and expansion.
About the Artist:
Marta Amaro, Fundão, Portugal
Marta’s background in anthropology shapes her engagement with ceramics and the Portuguese tradition of azulejos, painted clay tiles. Inspired by the natural beauty of her home region, her work draws on historic designs and techniques while offering contemporary interpretations.
Portuguese Azulejos
Marta Amaro’s four ceramic tiles recall the granular textures of beach sand and the fluid movement of water. The drifting linear motifs are suggestive of the early life stages of oysters when juvenile oysters navigate ocean currents by sensing vibrational soundscapes, swimming toward the sound of healthy reefs where they attach and grow.
Amaro’s medium, Portuguese azulejos, historically served both decorative and protective roles, lining architectural surfaces. The practice has diverse origins—Islamic mosaic traditions as well as Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and Chinese design, reflecting the country’s relationship to the sea as a conduit to global trade and expansion.
About the Artist:
Marta Amaro, Fundão, Portugal
Marta’s background in anthropology shapes her engagement with ceramics and the Portuguese tradition of azulejos, painted clay tiles. Inspired by the natural beauty of her home region, her work draws on historic designs and techniques while offering contemporary interpretations.
