We continue our series with our advisory board, exploring the world of design in Portugal. In this ongoing series of conversations, we invite each member to share their top 3 emerging Portuguese design talents and their favourite design spots around Lisbon.
Hear from Joana Astolfi / @joanaastolfi - an architect, artist and designer who draws visual inspiration from a broad universe of found objects and artifacts with a focus on history and narrative. She approaches a space like a living thing, an active player in human drama. Joana's selection of creatives is as playful and unconventional as her own practice.
Get to know Lisbon city and Portugal’s creative talents via these short read yet inspiring editorials.
Joana, what are your recommendations of three young creatives to watch in Portugal in 2024?
Ivo Oliveira: a product designer and photographer whose work is playful, experimental and out of the box.
Diogo Amaro: a cabinetmaker who creates beautifully crafted wooden pieces.
Pictured: "Chicago series" which revisits the imaginary of Chicago’s architecture at the turn of the 20th century, in particular the one of Frank Lloyd Wright, exploring the japanese influence in his work. The collection is made up of eight original pieces, reproduced in limited numbers.
Alexandre da Silva (Alquimista Ceramics): he is ludic and experimental. His motto: 'turning garbage into gold'
What are you three favourite venues in terms of architecture and design in Lisbon?
OJO Gallery. This gallery showcases work by talented craft makers. Currently it shows an exhibition by Porto-based French artist Victor Marqué
Museu de Arte Popular: showing a great exhibition celebrating the art of Basketry curated by Passa ao Futuro.
Garagem Sul (CCB) - An architecture gallery part of the Centro Cultural de Belem
What are your expectations for LDW2024?
I believe that LDW2024 will serve as a strong platform to showcase and promote Portugal's incredible talent in the fields of design and crafts, taking our creativity abroad and generating connections and interaction between creatives, artisans, brands and manufacturers in these fields.
Joana Astolfi (b. Lisbon, 1975) is an architect, artist and designer who draws visual inspiration from a broad universe of found objects and artifacts, with particular focus on history and narrative. Joana established Studio Astolfi in 2009. Now comprising around 20 collaborators, Studio Astolfi is a team of architects, designers, artists, artisans, carpenters, metallurgists, craftspeople and technicians. Since 2014 Studio Astolfi has been responsible for the design of the window displays of Hermès in Portugal, and her extensive list of clients also includes numerous companies such as Grupo Avillez, Vitra, Discovery Land, Herdade da Comporta, Tranquilidade and Claus Porto to name just a few. Astolfi has given conferences worldwide based on her life and work, focusing on her unique approach that crosses architecture and art.
