The urban tile art of Liratov

The painter and sculptor has been touring the entire country over the past four years, leaving ceramic tile sculptures all around for people to discover.

Liratov recalled his passion for art began at a very young age. “My grandpa painted, he taught me the basics and was a huge influence. As a child, I was encouraged to draw, paint, and make sculptures”, the urban artist told The Portugal News.

Inspiration

The sculptor shared that during his adolescence art had become something of the past, but when he turned 20, after a trip to Paris, he found inspiration again. Moving to Brighton, in the UK shortly after, spending 6 years honing his street art skills before returning to Portugal.

“After Covid, I got stuck in Portugal”, Liratov recounted. In 2020, the artist set off on a trip around the country, which stimulated new ideas and his tile art was born. “It all started when I found broken pieces of glass on the floor. I started to see what they could become, the shapes they could form, and piece by piece, I assembled an animal.”

From there, he visited workshops handling traditional Portuguese azulejo art and took possession of their damaged ceramic tiles, giving them a new purpose. “Azulejos represent Portuguese culture, I couldn’t let them go to waste just because they were broken”, Liratov stated.

His creative process involves analysing the tiles and using the shards to create the images in his mind like you do when you go cloud watching. Liratov expressed that “I see my art a certain way, but I’m proud to invoke a different experience in others”.

“We all speculate the meaning of art, but I find the different perspectives make it fun. Creating something that stirs the emotions of its audience”, he explained, “I’m a curious character with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and adventure, strongly influenced by experiences, relationships, and life. I try to reflect that with my art, transmit the beauty in everything, from nature to animals and humans.”

Urban Art

The urban tile art of Liratov is made with a focus on Portuguese culture and sustainability. His works are hidden all over the country, most notably in his home region of Alto Minho. In the Algarve alone, the artist has installed 40 pieces, 20 of which represent the traditional chimneys found in the region. One of his newer pieces, “Torneira”, addresses the Algarve’s ongoing water crisis.

His work has also spread beyond the border, being featured in northern Spain and southern France.

“Never give up”, the artist gave his advice. “Persevere with achieving what you want”. He mentioned constant work, a vision, and goals are important to have. But above all, “don’t take life too seriously”.

Being a street artist, there’s also an element of risk, as being caught doing his work on public property without permission can possibly lead to trouble with the authorities, not to mention the challenge of keeping his identity a secret from the public. But Liratov doesn’t seem too phased, saying what essentially translates to “you have to risk it for the biscuit”.

“I want to share my art, to express myself doing something I like, and create a sense of happiness. I’d love to spend my life like this”, Liratov described in his closing remarks.

You can follow Liratov and see his latest works on his Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/liratov_/), as well as of course out in the world around you.

A journalist that’s always eager to learn about new things. With a passion for travel, adventure and writing about this diverse world of ours.

“Wisdom begins in wonder” -  Socrates

Kate Sreenarong