The Poortuguese

Wall-mounted artwork featuring a series of blue and black illustrations with text, set against a rough concrete wall under spotlights.
Art exhibition in an industrial space featuring five posters with bold graphics and words, including hands and abstract shapes. A sign on the left provides information about the exhibition "delft." by Tomas Delte and "The Portuguese." The background has a rough, textured concrete wall.

The collection addresses the current life of the Portuguese, with this work being a political and economic satire on how the majority of the Portuguese people live and vote.

Because memories of others can also be In the context of the work, there are several references and connections to symbolism and materiality, which together create its unity and strength.

Referring to the iconic figure of Zé Povinho by Bordalo Pinheiro, portrayed this time as thin, naked, and downtrodden, without the strength to fight, representing the current political and economic situation. At the same time, we are confronted with a message of strength and again the reference to Zé Povinho’s gesture of “TOMA,” crossing his arms in protest.

There are messages of strength on the walls, and prominently, a mirror to make the observer reflect on the work and their own situation, questioning whether their life is reflected in these illustrations or if they reflect the consequences of their actions.

The phrases are influenced by communist political propaganda design, only to enhance the passage of a political message at an aesthetic level. The same applies to the lines and drawings of the bodies and objects used in the works.

The predominant color is “Yves Klein” blue, a tribute to Portuguese tiles, chosen for its velvety matte finish and premium quality, to reference luxury and ostentation. The paint is applied, leaving visible the raw laminated plywood, precisely to contrast with the luxury and ostentation of the pure, natural, and lively material of wood.

Regarding the message in the paintings, “Say, No, More, Fight, Now,” is an intentional contradiction to the message of the book and the purpose of the exhibition, which is to appeal to fight to change the current situation. However, this message aims to appeal to a correct fight so that “The Poortuguese” does not have to fight more in the future. The paintings depict close-ups of contorted and disproportionate parts of Zé Povinho’s body, reflecting the twisting and adaptation that occurs in everyday life, or when receiving this message.

TOMA!

Abstract artwork featuring a large purple hand with a thumb extended upward, set against a wood-textured background. Beneath the hand are repeated words "SAY NO!" in black on a dark background. Bold black letters partially hidden by the hand spell "SAY."

#01

Title: #01
Premium mate ink on plywood | 60 × 85 × 1 cm
Unique painting

Abstract artwork featuring a blue hand with fingers in OK gesture against a textured background. The background displays intricate black and cream patterns with text in English, forming a contrast with the vivid hand.

#02

Title: #02
Premium mate ink on plywood | 60 × 85 × 1 cm
Unique painting

Abstract painting with purple limbs and text, with the word 'MORE' in large letters.

#03

Title: #03
Premium mate ink on plywood | 60 × 85 × 1 cm
Unique painting

Artwork featuring a raised fist in shades of blue and purple against a background with the word "FIGHT" in large, bold letters. Smaller text reading "FIGHT NOW! MORE!" is scattered throughout. The overall theme suggests protest or empowerment.

#04

Title: #04
Premium mate ink on plywood | 60 × 85 × 1 cm
Unique painting

Abstract artwork featuring the word 'NOW' in bold, stylized typography with black, beige, and purple colors.

#05

Title: #05
Premium mate ink on plywood | 60 × 85 × 1 cm
Unique painting

Illustration with a blue and black figure sitting, wearing a hat, with text "The Portuguese." The background is primarily black and beige, with stylized typography.
Illustration with abstract figures and scenes, incorporating elements like a bus stop, hands, a person wearing a hat, and text including "RENT," "OIL," and statistics in a mix of blue, black, and beige colors.
Illustrated brochure with bold text "ARE YOU TAXES RIGHT OR LEFT?" featuring a shark and a person in water.
Open booklet with abstract design, blue and black colors, featuring the word 'DEBT' and stylized text 'Are You Happy in Portugal?'. Displays a whale illustration with smoke and small notes; the word 'souvenir' is included.
Open booklet with illustrated kitchen scene and text about Portuguese language
A stylized illustration of a confined living space with a kitchen and bathroom in blue, black, and beige colors. The image features a person typing on a typewriter, with words like "SALARY" and "ONE DAY AT A TIME" appearing. Cabinets, a sink, and a toilet are visible, with a focus on financial and existential themes.

#06

Title: Book v1
Screen printing | A4
20 copies

Illustrated cover with a blue and white color scheme featuring a stylized character in mid-air and text reading "The Portuguese."
Blue and white illustrated zine with abstract drawings, including a figure in a hat, a bus stop, and the word "RENT."
Blue and white artwork featuring bold block letters asking "Are Taxes Right or Left?" A shark is depicted eating dollar bills above a person in water holding a plate.
Open booklet with blue and white design, featuring the words 'DEBT' and 'ARE YOU HAPPY AND POOR TOO GAL?' with stylized illustrations, including a gushing volcano.
Blue and white illustration featuring a stylized room with a sink and cabinets, hands using a calculator, and text including 'SALARY,' 'FOOD,' and 'increase in food products.' A wall poster reads 'One Day at a Time.'
Open booklet with blue and white illustrations. Left page shows toilet, sink, mirror, and text: "Messages. Vote the same, stay the same. Go f..." Right page has title "Portuguese" and paragraph challenging readers to change and reflect.

#07

Title: Book v2
Screen printing | A6
100 copies