2024 was a year of very slow progress in my ceramics. Experimenting with new clays and pushing the boundaries of (in)compatibilities between clays, alongside the contingencies of working in a shared /community kiln facilities, meant the more than half the pieces did not survive the delicate stages of build, dry, biscuit firing and final firing. I am particularly excited about the new wishing wells that take about 4 months each to make, start to finish!

Body of work commemorative of 850 year since the arrival of S. Vicente relics in Lisbon. Made for the collective exhibition on show at the Mosteiro de S. Vicente in Lisbon, 13th September 2024 to January 2025. On the night of September 15, 1173, the relics of the martyr St. Vincent arrived in Lisbon, transported by boat at dawn and flanked by two crows. This event marked a significant milestone not only for the city but also for the nascent Christian kingdom. Lisbon, one of the most important cities in the country, became a place of veneration for the remains of the great martyr of Zaragoza, and thus a pilgrimage destination. St. Vincent became the patron saint of Lisbon, and his relics rest to this day in the patriarchal Cathedral. Lisbon was conquered from the Moors in 1147, leading to a difficult struggle between the conquerors and the conquered. Religiously, there was also a significant conflict between Islam and the newly established Christian rulers. The arrival of St. Vincent's relics, lost in the fog but guided safely by God's providence in the form of crows, signified the end of 26 years of turmoil. It ushered in a long-awaited period of peace and stability, making it possible to rebuild and heralding a new future for Lisbon and Portugal. This series portrays the sense of loss, bloodshed, conquest, and the hope of those living in turmoil and violence, yearning for peace and stability. Every day, God gifts us with a new dawn, shedding light on our human nature, our violence, and our conquests. Each day is a new opportunity for hope and change. There is an almost imperceptible line between Heaven and the Divine, and Earth and form. Paying homage to his life and his testimony of faith, we find an exhibition by a group of artists and friends who share a love of art. It is made up of works of different techniques, styles and formats, created specifically for this exhibition project. These transpose us to the Vincentian world, resilience and glory in the Love of God.

The micro of all Creation. Everything and everyone starts out the same. As cells, as stardust as a wonderful mess of Light and Matter. Exuberantly ripping through the darkness with tremendous energy to evolve and grow. 14 interchangeable fragments of a larger imaginary whole.

The 2023 series mimics the play of light, on land and in water. Exploring and uncovering the mysteries of brief or prolonged exposure to touch. Using recycle cards of varying sizes these image series come alive together and simultaneously. With greater or lesser pressure they print and lift paint off each other; giving and taking, weaving texture and movement and depth in layers that are further highlighted with gold leaf, breathing Life Alchemy and purpose into these transitory, casual and lost encounters.

My favourite pieces! They may seem to originate as a spin-off of the creative process of my larger Monoprints, but nothing could be further from the truth. Delicate and powerful they are the carefully composed as they lift and transfer the paint from one large image to another. They are the lighter fun side of my struggles with the larger pieces, that sometimes take over a year to complete. Most of these come ready framed in ash wood with museum grade anti-reflex glass so you can fully enjoy their cheeky winking. Enjoy!

The 12X12 is an creative festival that takes place over four days in early December. As well as an exhibition there is a program of concerts, performances and debates about art. The 12X12 exhibition starts from a basis of equality in which all the works on display are created in a common format, the square. Each participating artist will be able to produce their works on paper or cardboard, having the freedom to choose the size of their square. Each person may present a maximum of 12 works, not exceeding 50x50cm. The 12×12 Festival is aimed at the general public, allowing direct access to the artists’ concepts and works. In the 12×12 exhibition, artists are availablole to talk about their work, participating in debates and presentations of their work.

Imaginary world in stoneware. All natural colours of different stoneware pastes, glazed and fired at 1240ºC. Pieces first shown at OEIRASCERAMICART 2024.

Early experimenting incompatibilities of stoneware and terracotta clays.

The National Society of Fine Arts is the oldest and most representative artistic association in Portugal, founded in 1901 and has launched many of Portugals most reknown artists. Today it still host workshops and courses, and welcomes some of the best national and international exhibitions and art fairs. The Annual Members' Exhibition is a tradition inherited from the beginnings of SNBA, is a celebration that aims to bring together the artistic creations of all members annually. The possibility of presenting a greater number of authors, modalities and plastic languages ​​increases, guaranteeing the intrinsic excellence of this exhibition. The collected works on show establish a bridge between the modernist strength and themes of a more classical bent, establishing the sharing of experiences through a multidisciplinary language.

The oceans evoke the myths and odysseys lost in time and memory. Especially so at sunset, when all their hidden treasures tempt us with shimmering movement and promises of worlds yet to be discovered. They captivate us and invite us to celebrate their nature, constant and yet forever in movement and changing.