Sempre
𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘
Tamara Alves
2025
By the artist: "Sempre (which means always in Portuguese) portrays a symbol of resistance and perseverance. A female figure holds a carnation close to her face, evoking the resilience of the people and reminding us that we remain present and willing to fight. Through her eyes, times may have changed, but the essence of our struggle for freedom remains unchanged. Our pursuit of freedom is constant, adapting to our hearts and to the context in which we live."
Screen Printing on Ceramic / 3 colors (grey, green and black)
Hand-finished by the artist / two-color splatter details + written word
150 x 200 x 6 mm / 5.90 x 7.87 x 0.24 in (approx.)
Limited Edition of 27
Signed and Numbered
Material: White earthenware
Coating: Ceramic inks (4 colors) + Ceramic pencil
Finish: Transparent glaze
Tamara Alves (b. 1983) is a Portuguese visual artist and illustrator, currently based in Lisbon. Has a degree in Arts (ESAD-IPL) and a master in Contemporary Artistic Practices (FBAUP) where her subject of research was “Public Activism in Urban Context”. She has always been interested in a kind of work which is inserted in the world, fascinated with the streets aesthetics and urban context, in order to present her works of art in the street or in public spaces. Tamara Alves has been weaving a narrative that celebrates in a raw, poetic way the primeval vitality of strong sensations, of an animal becoming, of brute passion, as opposed to rational deliberation. Based on the idea that our instincts are what defines us, the artist invokes a universe of (female) human and animal figures in interaction with the natural landscape and objects imbued with a strong symbolic charge that invite us to embrace feelings as a wild and untamed driving force. A universe where love, always love (which is wound, pain, tears, but not less pleasure, joy, ecstasy), can be the fruit of an impact, an accident, growing within us like a wild flower. More information: https://tamaraalves.com/
Sempre
SCREEN PRINTING MEETS CERAMICS
SCREEN PRINTED WITH CERAMIC INKS
Find out more about the production of this edition
WITH PORTUGUESE WHITE EARTHENWARE
FROM PLASTIC TO GLAZEWARE
Each tile is made one by one, with the slab technique, which involves rolling out the clay into flat pieces, using a slab roller.
Throughout the entire process, theres a lot of testing, cutting, waiting, handling, pressing, shelving and frequent follow-up, all of which require great care and patience.
Before printing with ceramic inks, each tile undergoes a bisque firing.
AFTER THE FIRST FIRING
BISQUE STAGE
In this edition, after the bisque firing, the tiles are printed with ceramic inks (one color at a time) and then glazed. Or the other way around.
With screen printing it's possible to print directly onto the clay, at various stages, using different types of coatings, resulting in diverse aesthetics.
In this collection, we use more than one process.
MELTING THE GLAZE ONTO THE BISQUEWARE
FIRING OVER 1000°C
Besides the use of ceramic inks on this edition, every piece is finished with transparant glaze.
Before it's finished, each tile goes through two firings - bisque and glaze - at around 1000°C(1832°F). From closing to opening the kiln, each firing can last more than 24 hours.
ADD DISPLAY TO CART
4 WAYS TO DISPLAY YOUR TILE
Minimal or classical, our versatile tile stands and hangers let you display your tiles on tables or walls. They adapt to your preferred setup and offer a practical way to showcase your ceramic pieces.
ADD DISPLAY TO CART
4 WAYS TO DISPLAY YOUR TILE
Minimal or classical, our versatile tile stands and hangers let you display your tiles on tables or walls. They adapt to your preferred setup and offer a practical way to showcase your ceramic pieces.
Classic metallic wall display with adjustable spring and transparent retractable sleeve to protect tile edges.
Made in Portugal.
