After his time as an artist/curator with «Pau Duro Coração Mole» (2017), «O Vírus» (2018), and more recently assuming the curatorship of «Sem medo de criar o chaos» (2019), Thomas Mendonça returns to Foco Gallery with the solo exhibition «Species Novae».

The most recent aspect of his ceramic work, this open series – under constant construction, at least for now – is once again inspired by the ocean, the sea and maritime life in general. In addition to its usual muses – the porifers, corals and other aquatic animals or plants – this time plastic also enters the equation.

It has unfortunately become impossible to talk about the sea without talking about pollution, and his inspiring walks along the beach – where he collected shells and ideas – have become collections of the plastic and general rubbish that undoubtedly form part of the scenery.

In this series that can appeal to ecological awareness, the aesthetic language combines both organic and artificial references. Gradually, giving up its exclusive protagonism, ceramics mixes with all kinds of materials found. In a paraphernalia of shells, feathers and polluting materials, ceramics rises to a new and totally different dimension.

©Photodocumenta