Untitled 

Fernando Calhau, who was born in Lisbon in 1948, created this untitled, black and white artwork using photography and serigraphy. His life spanned a tumultuous period of Portuguese history, witnessing both the oppression of the Estado Novo dictatorship and the euphoric aftermath of the Carnation Revolution in 1974, which brought democracy. His abstract work invites us to consider themes of memory, loss, and the search for identity in the wake of political upheaval. Calhau's use of shadow and obscured forms can be seen as a visual metaphor for the lingering presence of the past, and the difficulty of forging a clear path forward. His art resists traditional representations, instead developing alternative narratives that speak to the complexities of living through a period of profound social and political transformation. The contrast between the stark, black shapes and the soft, grainy textures evokes a sense of tension and uncertainty. This resonates with the experience of a society grappling with its past, while trying to define its future.