Stephen Jones fine-tuning the last details: from a can of graffiti In his hand, the artist has almost finished a mural of urban art in homage to the Sovereign Mother who, starting this Sunday, the day of the Festa Grande, will beautify Loulé.
Since the 18th, anyone who walks through Rua dos Homens do Andor, near the São Sebastião Parish Council, will find Stephen Jones, an artist from the Satori Association, most likely on top of a lifting machine.
Artist already with a name in the world of urban art (his are, for example, a series of murals in Lagoa and Carvoeiro), Stephen explains that the work «is going very well».
“There was a day and a half of rain, but nothing to affect. I look at the image on my cell phone, which is by the photographer Luís da Cruz, and I recreate it», he tells the Sul Informação, during a break at work.
And is it difficult?, we asked.
«Maybe it's one of my most challenging jobs, but I'm enjoying the end result», he replies, laughing.
The idea for this mural came from the Parish Council of São Sebastião, since the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade is located in the administrative territory of this municipality.
Presented to the Municipality of Loulé, the idea immediately gained interest – so much so that the Municipality itself pays for the intervention.
Next to the almost finished mural, the president of the Junta says that the «strong devotion that Loulé has to the Sovereign Mother» was what gave rise to this initiative.
«We went to see some buildings, some walls, but we ended up choosing this one, which was even given to us by the owner of the building. You graffiti are also in fashion and we have combined the useful with the pleasant», explains Analídio Ponte.
The Sovereign Mother, he considers, is «a symbol not only of Loulé, but of the entire Algarve».
The painting of this mural has, moreover, aroused a lot of interest. Every day, there are those who go there to see the progress of the work.
“People come here, look and are delighted. There are also those who give tips», says Analídio Ponte.
On the part of the Satori Artistic Association, the challenge of making this mural was soon accepted.
“We have grown in terms of street art and this is another work on that path. What's more, being in Loulé, it's something we do with pleasure», says Tiago Guerreiro, president of this association.
The theme – the Sovereign Mother – «also tells us a lot» as it is «the biggest religious festival in the Algarve».
«What artists want is to have that recognition from people and to please from the youngest to the oldest and I feel that this happens here. It's a job that says a lot to everyone”, she adds.
The inauguration of the mural is scheduled for this Sunday, May 1st, day of the Great Festa da Mãe Soberana, at 12:30 pm.
Later, on the route between the Church of São Francisco and the Sanctuary, the men on the litter are expected to visit the mural.
“They're going to stop in front of here and do that traditional dance. Basically, it will add even more color to the Festival», concludes Analídio Ponte.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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