Salazar na primavera

During my artist in residency, I created this large scale embroidery piece after discovering a hand sketched embroidery pattern created by Maria Luisa or Maria Angelica in the 1940s in the archives of the house at Córtex Frontal, Arraiolos, Portugal. The original sketch, lead pencil on paper design contain individual elements for tablecloths, handkerchiefs, and possibly clothing adornment. What was unusual about the original drawing was the depiction of a mans face drawn in a child like manner. The man’s name is written under the face, that of Oliveira Salazar, the dictator who reigned an oppressive rule for over 30 years.

The image of Salazar is naively surrounded by floral patterns.

The year of my residency marked the 50th anniversary of the end of his rule, which ended with the Revolução dos Cravos | Carnation Revolution.

I reproduced the complete design using locally sourced inks, cotton, wool and Portuguese linen. Embroidered in traditional embroidery stitches including the Arraiolos stitch named after the village, in contemporary colours whilst the figure remains in black and white. The delicate floral stitches surrounding the figure of Salazar, emblematic of the end of his regime.

How did the two ladies of the house in the 1940s predict this future, when they originally drew the sketch? The piece drew my attention to the difficult past of the country and the its people.