“Shared seas”
Fredensgade 39
This painting is inspired by Global Goal #1 ‘No poverty’
The painting is made by Mariana Santos, Portugal
“Shared seas”
There are so many dimensions to this goal and it’s such a vast subject to try to represent, so I decided to be a bit more symbolic and think of something that could be a metaphor and not a literal interpretation.
Aarhus and Lisbon (where I’m from) are both coastal cities with fishing traditions, so I thought of representing traditional small fishing as a symbol of the need for sustainable practices that support livelihoods without depleting resources and ensuring ongoing opportunities for future generations.
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” The motif symbolises the empowerment that comes from education. By equipping people with the skills, they need to succeed, we can foster self-reliance and reduce poverty.
When communities fish together, the catch is often shared among all participants, ensuring everyone has enough, this highlights the importance of fairness and equality in resource allocation, advocating for systems that provide for all members of society and reduce economic disparity.
The photo I used as inspiration for this painting is by the Portuguese photographer Artur Pastor.
With her realistic and raw expression, the Portuguese artist Mariana Santos is known for her dreamlike and nostalgic works. She works with both oil painting, drawing, graphics and murals. The motifs are often people in everyday situations, exuding both love and despair.
”My pieces reflect the way I observe and perceive the world. I prefer to incorporate myself into it as both, a silent voyeur and as an enquirer who seeks to learn more about the subjects, their emotional state and the predicaments they face”, she says.
Much of Mariana Santos' work is based on stills from old, now forgotten films and TV shows and old discarded photographs. The aim is to renew or revive the past that still deserves life and appreciation.
Mariana Santos has participated in a number of group exhibitions in Portugal, Spain, USA and the United Kingdom, among others.
This mural has been supported by:
Kronprins Frederiks og Kronprinsesse Marys Fond, Knud Højgaards Fond, Stibo-Fonden, Spar Nord Fonden, Per og Lise Aarsleffs Fond, Axel Muusfeldts Fond, Reisby Fonden, C.A.C. Fonden, Vilhelm Kiers Fond, Hotel Atlantic, Sparekassen Kronjylland, Loxam, Flügger, Aarhus Kommune - Kultur og Borgerservice.