WHAT WOULD YOU SAY - LISBON

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

LISBON

(2019)

is a localised chapter of a larger ongoing portrait exchange; A participatory live art action and social intervention that aims to explore and share both global and personal diversities of thought, perceptions and social interaction through face-to-face creative exchanges.

Initiating portrait exchanges with the local residence and those I meet on the city streets of Lisbon, I ask participants to sit still and silent for a timed ten minutes, considering a response to this question:

‘If everyone in Lisbon were willing to listen to you for one moment, what would you say?’

While considering their response I sketch their portrait, beneath which they write their answer/message. Using carbon paper I create two images at once, gifting the participant the original and keeping the print – a record of the exchange.

Each portrait and message is individually printed on plain white, used clothing donated by

Humana-portugal.org

So far, the work has been exhibited publicly in these locations:

Sept 2020 - Jardim do Torel

April 2019 - Escadinhas da Saúde, ‘Stairs of Health’ Martim Moniz, Lisbon

Aug 2019 - Marques de Pombal Metro station, Lisbon

Supported by: Humana-Portugal, Underdogs Gallery, Lisbon City Council Department of Culture, the Parish Council of Santa Maria Maior and Lisbon City Metro.

See all portraits below.

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Photography by Joao Barros

"I would like to communicate the need to accept the coming of all people - whether from the Middle east, whether from North Africa - who flee hunger, political and religious persecution - and for everyone to understand that the planet Earth belongs to everyone and not just a few. Tolerance , tolerance, tolerance."

"Notice what's happening around you. Lisbon's beauty must be noticed as much to be preserved."

[deep breath]

"How did you figure out the place where you belong and find the person of your life?"

"Don't let Lisbon be dominated by the right."
#elenao
#quemmandoumatarmarielle

"Only invest in what matters."

"Let's make a change! The time is now! Join us in the revolution."

"Know your neighbours."

"Do not damage your expression towards those that don't heal you."

"Be kind to yourselves so you can be kind to the world."

"Let the people of Lisbon be healthy."

"Our wellbeing is, in the long term, the well being of others. Lets work together towards the common good. Lets search for what we have in common first before we focus on our differences."