by mary claire whalley BA
Linocut on 300gsm 100% cotton rag paper
h: 42 w: 36 d: 1 (cms).
It makes sense to look up at the architecture of Europe, but in the city where I now live, I find myself looking down. In the cracks of the pedra calçada (traditional Portuguese paving stones), I see a familiar wildness. Coming from New Zealand, a place known for its untamed beauty, I am fascinated by how plant life persists in the city. This print is both a self-portrait and a love letter to the 'in-between' spaces of Portugal. It records the slow disintegration of azulejos (traditional patterned tiles) and the quiet defiance of dandelions. It is a study of where I stand now—literally and figuratively.
£120 (As exhibited.)
£120
(Unframed print.)
Please Note: If you are overseas and interested in a purchase, please note that there will be additional costs for postage and packaging added to this price. Feel free to enquire about this using the button below.
by mary claire whalley BA
Linocut on 300gsm 100% cotton rag paper
h: 42 w: 30 d: 1 (cms).
In 1880, Porto was named "The City of Camellias," a title celebrating the flowers that have bloomed in the city for more than a century. I've always thought of European cities as a kind of collage where generations of aesthetics are layered on top of one another. In this print, I’ve used a traditional azulejo (tile) pattern of camellias and textures of pedra calçada (paving stones) to frame a simple, human gesture. A passerby carries a bouquet; we are left to wonder about their destination. The technical challenge was to create a sense of depth and variety using only a single shade of blue taken from the colour of glaze often used in azulejos. By playing with pattern and scale, I aim to explore how the structured lines of architecture, the organic forms of nature, and the presence of humans interact each other for a fleeting moment on a Portuguese street.
£120 (As exhibited.)
£120
(Unframed print.)
Please Note: If you are overseas and interested in a purchase, please note that there will be additional costs for postage and packaging added to this price. Feel free to enquire about this using the button below.

