A Fragile Eternity

Silent Still is a meditation on the delicate tension between creation and destruction, stillness and turmoil. Through the fluidity of resin, which is the main subject of the exhibition —both a preserver and betrayer of nature—the works evoke an elemental quiet, yet beneath the surface lies a haunting, inevitable disquiet. With microscopic studies of the amber tones and swirling textures we are drawn into the eternal pause between natural preservation and industrial consumption.

Silent Still beckons viewers to confront the unsettling silence of a world on the edge, questioning what remains when nature’s whispers are no longer heard, but still felt.

We are already witnessing the dire consequences of our mindless consumption, a relentless focus driven by the immediate rewards of extracting what we desire from the Earth, with little regard for the cost. In our obsession with exploitation, we continually devise new and efficient ways to strip resources from the planet, as if they are inexhaustible. Yet, this short-sighted pursuit ignores the very real wounds we are inflicting upon the natural world—a world that sustains us. The ecosystem, once resilient, is now showing signs of fracture and collapse under the strain of humanity’s unchecked greed, and it seems to be crumbling beneath our feet, inch by inch, as we erode the foundation upon which all life depends.

Through the 4 components of this exhibition hosted by [A]-Space Gallery in Lisbon, we invite viewers to journey into nature’s intimacy, peeling back layers to reveal its profound complexity and fragility. Each piece serves as both a remembrance of our shared origins and a subtle, yet urgent, warning. These works are a quiet call to mindfulness, reminding us of the immediate dangers that loom closer each day. In engaging with the art, we are prompted to reflect on our role, to recognize the fragile beauty of the natural world, and to awaken to the responsibility that comes with being its custodian. This exhibition does not shout its message but whispers it—an invitation to pause, listen, and heed the silent warning that nature has been sending us all along.

Orcus Collection

The Orcus series delves with microscopic precision into the inner dimensions of resin. The liquid yet frozen quality of resin reveals the hidden duality of nature’s preserver and betrayer—amber. Beyond its role as nature’s balm to heal its own wounds, resin also serves as a remarkable preservation mechanism, encasing and safeguarding whatever becomes trapped within it for thousands of years. It stands as a tangible requiem, an archival tool that attempts to slow down the decay of nature in times of crisis.

At the same time, these remarkable preserving qualities have also led humans to synthesize resin, creating what we now know as synthetic resin. Paradoxically, while it imitates organic processes, synthetic resin is often derived from petroleum—a manipulation of nature’s secrets. Once a protective force, resin now captures human interference within its depths, encapsulating the fragile eternity of nature even as it faces the relentless touch of industrial transformation.

Still Flow Triptych

This resin triptych on paper presents a hauntingly beautiful narrative that explores the dual nature of preservation and decay. Each piece of the triptych captures resin in various states of fluidity and texture, as if it is both solidifying and dissolving before our eyes. The translucent layers and amber hues seem to bleed into the fibers of the paper, evoking a sense of fragility and impermanence. The resin flows across the surface, forming organic patterns that mimic the intricate movements found in nature—veins of leaves, ripples of water, or the slow creep of a tree’s sap.

Veiled Pulse Diptych

The vibrant pink hues of the Bougainvillea exude vitality and passion, while the green accents and the flower’s sensual curvature evoke a sense of intimacy that borders on the erotic. The Bougainvillea’s seductive, almost primal essence serves as a reminder of the raw and sensual bond we share with nature — as if we are witnessing a part of ourselves that has been long-forgotten, hidden within the organic forms around us. The petals become flesh, the veins become conduits of life, and the entire flower transforms into a symbol of our shared vulnerability and resilience.

Tales in Texture Collection

This series of paintings, focusing on close-ups of olive leaves rendered on paper, captures the subtle beauty and symbolic weight of one of nature’s most resilient and enduring plants. Each leaf, magnified and isolated from the olive tree, reveals an intricate landscape of textures and hues, from deep greens to soft silvery tones. The artist’s choice to render these close-up details on paper gives the series a delicate, almost intimate quality, as if we are being granted a glimpse into the hidden life within each leaf.

Conclusion

The “Silent Still” exhibition invites viewers into a reflective space where art becomes a silent yet profound commentary on the fragility of our natural world. Through meticulously rendered paintings of resin, close-ups of Bougainvillea flowers, and intimate portrayals of olive leaves, the works explore the delicate balance between preservation and decay. These pieces offer a meditation on nature’s resilience, echoing the quiet but urgent call to recognize our impact on the environment. The exhibition encourages an introspective journey, urging us to pause, connect with nature’s beauty, and confront the consequences of human actions on the world we inhabit.