The New Vanguard: Portugal’s Troika Generation and Its New Wave Artists
The New Vanguard: Portugal’s Troika Generation and Its New Wave Artists
Cultural Shifts: How Portugal's Artists Are Shaping a New Artistic Era
Someone asked me the other day, "What is the most interesting city you have visited?" My mind immediately thought of Tokyo, but I answered, "Lisbon."
Tokyo is undoubtedly a gigantic, incredible cosmos—I've visited twice, first in 2008 and then in 2012. However, I lived in Lisbon, Portugal, for three years, more than a decade ago and I believe you only really get to know a city once you can complain about tourists changing the landscape; in other words, when you've been there long enough to call the place home.
Even though I maintain strong cultural and emotional ties to the country, I feel like I didn't explore enough of the vast culture, artists, and artworks that this little corner of Europe has produced.
After all, Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe, which gives them an immense cultural advantage, not to mention the fact that it was a colonial power for 500 years, just like Spain. In fact, back in the 15th century, Portugal and Spain had the audacity to divide the world between themselves through the Treaty of Tordesillas!
For a bit of context, I landed in Lisbon in 2010, right in the middle of a massive structural crisis, just after the 2008 market crash. That was also when Portugal was being intervened by the Troika. Social unrest was everywhere, with protests in the streets against austerity almost weekly, and the unemployment rate, especially among young people, was skyrocketing.
In other words, pessimism and dissatisfaction with the status quo were the norm. A friend of mine told me that Portugal will resist this dark period “as Portugal has been in a constant state of crisis since the infamous earthquake that hit the country in the 18th century.”
Experiencing this period of crisis firsthand gave me a unique perspective on the resilience and creativity of Lisbon's people, particularly its artists. As I got to know more about the city, I realized that the street art and graffiti culture was one of the most powerful scenes I had seen to date in any capital. I wrote about Vhils in one of the first posts on this publication.
The list of street artists from Portugal is extensive. Many of these artists took to the streets to reclaim a decaying public space due to the lack of opportunities to work in more traditional spaces, only to go back to the studio as they gained public notoriety and prestige. Others took more traditional avenues to continue their artistic practices. Both processes were significantly affected by the impact of the financial crisis. Their art not only reflected their personal struggles but also the broader societal challenges, embodying the spirit of resilience that my friend had described.
I see them as the “Troika Generation.”
Today, I want to talk about some of these artists that I admire, some of whom I haven’t had the chance to experience in real life, and tell their tales.
Let’s go.
AKACORLEONE
Pedro Campiche, known as AKACORLEONE, was born in Lisbon in 1985. He's a unique artist who blends traditional and digital techniques, known for his vibrant use of colors and shapes that come from his own creative world. Each piece he creates is a one-of-a-kind visual treat.
AKACORLEONE has been into art since he was young, starting with graffiti in the early 2000s. This early passion laid the groundwork for his later ventures into illustration and mural painting, beginning in 2008. By 2010, he was showcasing his work in galleries, establishing a style that has continually evolved but always remains true to his distinctive aesthetic. Over the years, he’s also embraced painting, installations, and sculpture.
He's constantly experimenting with new materials and techniques, which has changed how he approaches his art. He sees art as a way to understand and connect with the world, experimenting with everything from bas-relief and tiles to laser cutting, using materials like acrylic, wood, cement, or stone.
AKACORLEONE is known for his versatility and his constant search for new ways to present his art. His projects, like "EQUALITY" at the Iminente Festival in 2020, "FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS" at Underdogs in 2018, and "FIND YOURSELF IN CHAOS" at Underdogs in 2014, show his ability to move from street art to gallery spaces seamlessly.
His work has been displayed in 14 countries, earning him both national and international praise.
Kruella d'Enfer
Since 1988, Portuguese artist Kruella d'Enfer has been creating enchanting artworks that pull you into a world of fantasy. She paints everything from huge murals to smaller pieces on canvas and paper, bringing to life a place filled with mystical creatures like wolves and magical foxes. Her art is a colorful blend of shapes and contrasts that revive old legends and myths, making them appealing to everyone, everywhere.
Kruella started showing her work in both solo and group exhibitions back in 2010. Her unique style catches the eye and invites you into her magical, mysterious landscapes. Whether it's on a grand wall or a small canvas, her work captivates and transports viewers into a storybook scene that feels both ancient and fresh.
You can see a good connection between some of the artists, the style, the motifs, often historical. They are visually rich pieces characterized by a harmonious explosion of colors and intricate patterns that form a complex, layered composition.
Often, the artworks feature a series of floating and overlapping geometric shapes and abstract forms that create a sense of depth and movement.
±MaisMenos±
Miguel Januário, born in 1981 in Porto, started studying Communication Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Porto in 1999. Around the same time, he began dabbling in graffiti and started taking on commissioned work. He soon became a freelancer at Maus Hábitos, a cultural hub in Porto, where he set up his first studio. In 2005, as part of a school project, he launched the ‘±MaisMenos±’ intervention project, which quickly made a name for itself in both the national and international urban art scenes.
In 2009, Miguel moved to Lisbon, where he continued to work on his personal projects while also taking on other artistic endeavors. From 2011 to 2013, he served as the artistic director at Ivity Brand Corp. In 2014, he returned to Porto and decided to focus almost exclusively on developing his ‘±’ project further, taking it abroad and cementing its place in the art world. This project is also the centerpiece of his PhD research at his alma mater, the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto.
Under the ‘±MaisMenos±’ name, Miguel has created a wide array of works both inside and outside, using different mediums like video, installations, painting, and performance. Besides many unauthorized public art pieces in various countries, his work has also been featured in both solo and group exhibitions in different formal settings.
Living in Lisbon during such a tumultuous time was like watching a city paint its resilience on every wall and corner.
These artists, the Troika Generation, they don’t just create art; they tell the story of a city and the people who refuses to be defined by their struggles.
Their works are powerful, diverse and challenge our perception with creativity over crisis.
I'm - constantly - reminded that every city has its own unique voice, and sometimes, you just need to be there long enough to really hear it.
Thanks for joining me on this journey through Lisbon’s vibrant street art scene—it’s been quite the ride, and I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired me.
Until next time. By any art necessary.