June 2015 1

Title: “Trompe l’oeil” – Zabou – 14x7m – Loures, Portugal – 2015

The project ”Quinta do Mocho” takes place in the suburbs of Lisbon, in Loures, where a community of migrants lives with difficulty. By painting huge murals inspired by the people, the purpose of the project is to change the ‘bad’ image of the neighbourhood, create exchange, bring change, inspire, and improve locals’ environment. Works include murals by Vhils, MTO, Bordalo II, Odeith, MAR, Smile, Tamara Alves and many more. The social impact of the project so far gas already proven its success, and will be extended to 40 more murals, making Quinta do Mocho one of the largest outdoor galleries in Europe.

The piece I’ve chosen to paint there is the second one of the series ‘Beyond the Concrete’ (started in Cyprus) which animate buildings. It is my largest piece to date, with a height of 14m. It shows two hands, one holding a palette, one painting trees on the bottom of the building with a brush. Entitled ‘Trompe l’oeil’, this mural is about being more than just a blank bloc of concrete. About becoming something else through street art. About the place and lack of nature in urban environments.

See more works from Quinta do Mocho:

Nomen

Bordalo II

Vhils (unfinished)

Tamara Alves