A double fusion of talents: interview with Maria Pratas and Carlos Manuel Gonçalves
Long-distance artistic collaborations seem strange to you? Find out how two artists overcame all barriers in a joint exhibition.
Last May, during the prestigious Lisbon by Design, and also an integral part of the Lisbon Design Week, two artists, came together to create something truly unique. This collaboration resulted in an exceptional double intervention piece, which reflects the synergy of their artistic visions, in addition to individual works that highlight the uniqueness of each one..
We were fascinated by the exhibition and the new piece and pieces by both, which sparked our curiosity about how this artistic junction happened. To satisfy curiosity, we decided to send an invitation for an Interview to which both creators responded promptly. Knowing more about this inspiring collaboration was our goal and we managed. In this interview, we explore behind the scenes of the creative process, the challenges and rewards of working together, and how each artist maintained their unique identity, as they collaborated to produce the extraordinary works we know.
THE ARTISTS MARIA PRATAS AND CARLOS MANUEL GONÇALVES
Maria Pratas, born in Coimbra, is a Portuguese textile artist and sculptor, recognized for its ability to transform materials into three dimensions. With initial training in visual education, focused on visual content and two-dimensionality, at a certain point in his journey he felt the need to explore a more complete dimension, developing a unique style in the field of textile art. Incorporates the traditional knowledge of ancient artisans into your contemporary work, fusing different raw materials and techniques to create objects full of stories and meanings. In your studio, the territory of threads dominates the entire creative process, and reflects an intense dedication to enthusiastically embracing eclectic artistic environments – imagine your creations coming to life in distinct and transformative spaces, that honor both functionality and artistic expression.
Maria Pratas is also a member of Homo Faber (Michelangelo Foundation For Creativity & Craftsmanship), is a member of the community of contemporary artisans, to Portugal Manual and represented by DoubleJ Gallery for the Middle East and counts in your portfolio, integrations of its pieces in various national and international spaces.
Carlos Manuel Gonçalves, born in Alentejo, and from a young age he developed a connection with rural life, inspiring you in your creations. It was during the pandemic that Carlos Manuel Gonçalves transformed a hobby in your current profession. He took advantage of his great passion for ceramics and his childhood memories, and created works that evoke the creatures that lived in his imagination, farm animals and country people.
Presented its first exhibition, em 2022, at Pura Cal no Lx Factory, the “Monsterary”, and since then has participated in the Venice Design Week, in the collective exhibition “Of Forms and Origins” where he won the “Voice of the Public Award”. Recently, held an exhibition in Leiria, “Com-Tradição” and participated in the Lisbon By Design.
A SUCCESSFUL ARTISTIC COLLABORATION
– Hello Maria and Carlos! Thank you for accepting the invitation to create this interview.. To start, Maria can talk a little about her journey, and how he arrived in the world of design?
The curiosity to know how objects work has always been present. As a child, tools were the great discovery for transforming the material that was most at hand and extending the hands to dismantle a mechanism. The manual skills and the refined and intuitive sense in finding the most appropriate solution were a challenge and daily entertainment. The discipline of design involves attentive and careful planning. The creation, in my case, of sculptures, where the connection between form-function and aesthetics are harmoniously strengthened so that the piece results in a certain environment with a long life.
– Carlos, Can you tell us a little about your journey and how you came to the world of design??
Ceramics appeared in my life occasionally. Just before the height of the pandemic it was just one hobby, a kind of therapy that, due to the circumstances at the time, and very unexpectedly, would become my full-time profession. The culture sector was one of the most affected at the time. And being out of work was the “perfect excuse” to start sharing my first pieces. Things moved forward and evolved very naturally and organically from then on., and I never stopped.
– for himself, Carlos, What is your greatest professional achievement??
I think that having the privilege of being able to make a living from art in a country like ours, is in itself a huge achievement. I'm lucky that my work reaches people. And I feel like this is the greatest achievement I could have. Along my journey there have obviously been small victories that should be noted.. I will list two. One was participating in Venice Design Week, in the year of 2022 in Venice. And the other was having recently opened the studio in his own name, in Lisbon.
– And for you, Maria, what is your greatest achievement??
Recognition by my peers has perhaps been one of the greatest achievements, alongside proposals to create a sculpture for a given space, These are high and constant moments in my journey, that make me surprised and happy. Be recognized by Homo Faber (Michelangelo Foundation For Creativity & Craftsmanship) as master artisan and having participated in the Révélations International Biennial, Paris, 2023.
– We already know that they collaborated at Lisbon by Design 2024, where they presented a piece that brings together two different forms of design. How they met and what led to their collaboration?
We've known each other for some time, We have an almost daily relationship and we share some professional moments that allow us to get to know each other's work in detail.. Sharing a room in this edition of LbD was a challenge that we accepted when the invitation addressed to both of us during a lunch, and it really surprised us. Still in the restaurant, we designed and sealed the concept of the exhibition space right there.. The enthusiasm of connecting different areas sparked connection points and took us further, when the Undercover, the name of our piece, he was born.
– How do artisanal ceramics and traditional basketry techniques complement each other??
(Maria) In a very organic way, natural. They are both ancestral techniques that have been with each other since forever., and that we only connect them through the language of both. (Carlos) The process could not have been more fluid. After defining the basic idea, the piece came naturally. From the beginning, the enthusiasm was always greater than the challenge itself..
– How would you describe the creative process in this collaboration?? And why the name “Disguised”?
It is a sculptural piece that embraces ceramics and textiles. The starting point was a traditional piece – has tempered – because we both have rounded shaped containers in our collections, we are inspired by jugs, for jars... but we didn't want any of that and we let everything happen freely, taking into account only technical aspects in the execution of ceramic elements. The form emerged, the piece took on a life of its own and grew only with the help of our hands. Disguised because the life he gained quickly took over himself, disguising the shyness with which he was born and showing himself with the expression that best suits him or us. Try looking at him!
– What were the biggest challenges you faced when developing the piece?, and what inspired its creation?
The biggest challenge was the geographic distance between our workspaces, and the time that the ceramic needs to rest/dry had to be reconciled with the chronology of the deadline for finishing it. We are inspired by each other's work, and the enthusiasm for the challenge we set ourselves was the trigger for us to accept each person's ideas that emerged during the video calls very well.. Sim, it was a piece made remotely. But the passion we invested in this project from the beginning surpassed any barrier.
– Maria and Carlos have plans to continue collaborating on future projects? If so, Can you say anything about these projects??
Disguised was the realization of an impulse that we didn’t expect, but we are sure it was just the first. It is no longer available! There is a mutual desire for other Undercovers to emerge, with new colors, shapes and personalities.
– What was the biggest impact that Lisbon by Design brought to both of you?? It was what they expected?
(Maria) Sim, It was the moment to show a collection that had been planned for some time and had been waiting for the right moment to be presented.. It's a different collection because it's not colorful., with a large scale, for bringing together textile, stoneware and silver and it was a wish satisfied also because it had a great reception.
(Carlos) It was very rewarding to be able to share my work with those who didn't know it yet.. In such a renowned exhibition, full of such talented artists. I think the feedback exceeded all our expectations.
– What advice would you give to young designers who are just starting their careers??
(Maria) work hard, seek creative experiences, discover other worlds, be authentic in identity and be available to receive feedback on results.
(Carlos) Never color our essence and artistic identity, always trying to evolve every day. And do everything with dedication, without expecting anything in return. When things come from inside, our truth is always well accepted and understood.
– Thank you very much for your time and availability, Maria and Carlos.
Before we finish, Do you have any current or future projects?, that you would like to share with readers?
(Maria Pratas) Sim, I'm preparing an exhibition in Lisbon, opening in July, with southern details. It will smell like summer and invite slow living! Continue requests for creative experiences in my studio, This is what is on the agenda along with collaboration on a special project, large and unique that will be presented by the end of this year.
(Carlos Manuel Gonçalves) After Lisbon by Design, a project emerged in which I am currently participating. A private gallery with the most renowned artists in our country. Having opened an exhibition in Leiria a few months ago, I want to take advantage of the next few months to slow down a little, and organize the agenda and all the orders I have on hold. There are also many ideas in my head that I want to bring to life.
Interview conducted by Margarida Braga Anjos.