Completed in October 2016, the mural in Jardim Botto Machado is the largest piece of street art in Lisboa. Designed by André Saraiva, It is made up of 52,738 tiles manufactured by Viúva Lamego, following techniques and craft methods production, and hand-painted by the artist. The work was an initiative of the Lisbon City Council, together with MUDE – Museum of Design and Fashion and the S. Vicente Parish Council and span across 188 meters in length and 1011 square meters in area.
The mural, however, is much more than a pretty picture: it captures stories from Saraiva’s life. His drawings suggest a ‘reinterpretation’ of the Portuguese capital, represented through the colors and design that distinguishes his work. It blends past and present, as well as references to other world capitals, where the artist lives and works. On this occasion, Saravia instead of using spray paints or permanent markers, used paintbrushes, a technique that would allow his colourful and exuberant work to remain for at least a hundred years.
This film Private View: André, directed by Julie Georgia Bernard for NOWNESS, shows how the project came to life.
