Wooden sculpture by Miguel Martins opens at Forum Algarve

Forum Algarve , a shopping center managed by Multi Portugal in Faro, now has a sculpture to visit, inaugurated on Wednesday, May 7, by local artist Miguel Martins.

Composed of two large sculptures representing swallows in flight, symbols of freedom, preservation and sustainability, the sculpture is located on the wall of the pedestrian access area to the restaurant.

Entitled «Andorinhas», the work is born from the union between the recovery of materials and a deep inspiration in nature and its rhythms of freedom.

The choice of swallows is not random. These migratory birds, in addition to marking the cycle of the seasons, carry a strong meaning linked to sustainability and respect for nature, values ​​that Forum Algarve intends to reinforce with this installation.

The sculpture was created in the workshop of Estúdio Onze, an artistic collective from the Algarve founded by three creative minds, including Miguel Martins. The studio expresses itself through urban art, installations and wood sculpture, always with a deep commitment to sustainability and the appreciation of local identity.

Composed of two pieces measuring 5×7 meters and 6×8 meters each, the work was conceived using assembly techniques and artisanal methods. Made from reclaimed wood and recovered metals, it takes shape through a manual process that involves cutting, gluing and assembling various materials, preserving the textures and stories of each element.

The construction balances tradition and innovation, central characteristics of the author's work, and seeks to capture the lightness of the swallows' flight and the symbolic strength of their crossing.

“The promotion of art and culture has been a clear focus of Forum Algarve and we are particularly pleased to do so by giving a platform to the talent of our community. Therefore, we are very proud to welcome the installation of this piece. It made perfect sense for us to include the work in the shopping centre’s décor, as it was designed based on one of Forum Algarve’s main focuses – sustainability – allowing various materials, such as doors, shutters and tiles, to be given a new purpose through reuse”, says Sérgio Santos, director of the shopping centre.