Rising Stars: Luzalba

The Fish Print Series

Fish Prints is an artistic project focused on documenting, transmitting and preserving the fishing traditions and marine species of the Portuguese Atlantic Coast.

The fish and the ocean are the DNA of Portuguese culture. It is an intrinsic relationship that we cannot ignore. But sometimes our costumes can be quite unpleasant for the environment. Better if we can be more conscientious to defend and protect our blue home. How many marine species currently inhabit the Portuguese coasts? Who are these fish? How are they captured? These are some of the key points of this project. And why talk about it? Because many of these species, habitats and even traditions are threatened, sometimes already extinct.

But how can this project help?

It helps by finding a very special bridge between people and science, through art. Fishing communities (or related) can find in the pieces of art a completely new vision of their common reality. Biologists can catalog species as well as discover and record details more accurately. The fish becomes more than a dish, gaining a second life. Many reflections come to the fore and sustainability always overcomes.

What is the process?

The process is like a ritual: it’s a direct impression of a fish, caught through local artisanal fishing, opening the discourse to conscious consumption. The engraving method uses fresh fish, which once prepared (complete with scales) is covered in ink, namely squid or cuttlefish black ink. After this process, the decal/print is made using cotton fabric, thus registering all the original shapes and textures of the animal.

A full circle

Each fish can be printed more than once (sometimes 3/4 times, depending on conditions), but all prints are unique. In the end, the fish are clean and ready for consumption, with no waste. The fabrics are bed sheets reclaimed from various hotels (waste because little stains are huge). And so we complete a circle where art and sustainability complement each other.