Maria
Pratas

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

The Costa Vicentina is my home, it’s a territory I’ve known for many years, chosen first for my vacations. Thirty years ago I decided to make it a permanent place to live and have the beach and all the natural and cultural surroundings of this corner of Portugal close by. I designed and built a house in Praia da Ingrina, Vila do Bispo, which is a reflection of the way I live –  simple, functional and made up of objects that represent moments in my life. It’s a more intimate place that inspires me – here I receive friends and spent a lot of time in communion with nature, taking a break from Lisbon life. I’ve created a space in this house where I can also work and where I display my textile sculptures, in a kind of archive.

My studio is located in Lisbon. Here, I usually receive project clients, collectors and anyone who wants to have a creative experience through the workshops I prepare for them.

Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

As I live on the beach, it’s in the scenery of the Vicentine coast that I try to take a break and where I’m very inspired by natural elements. On my walks along the beach or the cliffs, I always find a detail – a root, pieces of wood, seeds, the texture of the rocks – that catches my eye and feeds the creative process. This is my formula for having the right balance when creating sculptures.
In contrast, I like to receive stimuli from the city to strengthen ties and to keep a close eye on what is being done in the artistic context. In my Lisbon studio, I create the textile sculptures, receive my peers to exchange ideas and stimulate creative experiences.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers – whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

Portugal is a country where cultural heritage comes from a long history. We have a very rich artistic heritage and generations have taken care to pass on a legacy of arts and crafts. In Lisbon, my studio is in an area where there are other spaces run by artists from different universes. Carlos Manuel Gonçalves‘ studio is worth a visit if you want to be challenged by stories and very amusing and unusual objects. He is a ceramicist and it was with him that we created “Disfarçado”, a character who has a life of his own and unites our artistic disciplines.
In the Algarve, there is a creative nest that I recommend you visit, where you can see artisans working with different raw materials and providing experiences for those who visit. Loulé Criativo is worth a visit for a series of workshops that promote traditional art techniques alongside contemporary design.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

Right next door to Ingrina House & Studio, I recommend a restaurant where you can be sure of fresh fish, typical Portuguese food and a unique, quiet location close to the sea. There’s no rush here, the food is made to order and while you wait, you can sit on the terrace on the sandy beach, where palm trees provide shade for a pleasant setting at any time of day. The restaurant is called Sebastião and is located at Praia da Ingrina.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

A visit to Pura Cal is a must in Lisbon, a concept store for anyone interested in design, architecture and unique objects. This space offers a curated selection of artists, brands and environments that reflect leading international trends. They also show some of my work there.

Which are your 3 favorite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

– Spotify – I have a deep love for listening to music, which accompanies me every day through playlists that I create to meet different “vibes” that I need. I listen to them while I work in the studio and need to be focused. But also when I’m traveling – connecting the landscapes I see with the soundscape or even at night, for the moment when the day slowly fades away.
– Instagram – I follow some accounts related to art, design, travel, architecture… and as a means of communicating my work and everything that relates to what I do.
– Whatsapp – A way to stay connected with people who are geographically far away.

One last question: if you could choose another place to live – regardless of financial or time constraints – which one would you choose?

Anywhere I would encounter a cultural challenge. If it were financially possible, I would spend part of my time traveling to different places that would also allow me to do artistic residencies. Traveling by plane is a solution to reach a distant destination more quickly, but using a motorhome to cross different countries would be the perfect way to spend time in different cultures and share artistic expressions from those territories.