ORLA

An artistic journey along the Costa Vicentina 
The artist's chosen medium is as unconventional as his muse – Afonso Matias grinds metal plates, capturing the essence of the famous rocks on the west coast of the Western Algarve.

His artistic journey began long before he set foot on the region's cliffs. Born into a family of explorers and adventurers, his childhood was marked by an insatiable curiosity and a deep fascination with nature. He spent his formative years exploring the wilds of Portugal. However, the Western Algarve has come to occupy the most prominent place in his artistic imagination.

Countless childhood explorations along fishermen's paths sharpened his eye. From an early age, he was captivated by the region's cliffs, authentic ancient monuments carved out by natural forces. These rugged landscapes, with their jagged peaks and timeless beauty, became the backdrop to his dreams. He often visited the cliffs, walked, trekked, watched the waves crashing on the rocks and felt the wind in his hair – sensations that were later reflected in his work.

After perfecting his artistic skills as an adult, he decided to return to Barlavento. Armed with sheet metal and a fervent desire to capture the essence of this magical place, he embarked on a mission to bring these cliffs to life in a way that had never been seen before.

The medium he chose was sheet metal, a material that challenged him at every turn, but which rewarded him with unexpected results. He meticulously engraved and scratched the surface of the metal, recreating the textures and patterns of the rocks he had loved since childhood. With each stroke of his hand, he brought the cliffs to life, often infusing them with a disconcerting level of realism.

Afonso Matias' creative process requires unwavering dedication and perseverance. Getting lost in the intricate details of the cliffs, time passes, diluting into weeks or even months of work – each piece defines (and is defined by) its gestation period.