Ep. #57: From the Hilltops of Northern Portugal - Maria Oliveira on Memory and Transition

🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #57 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this inspiring episode, we sit down with the deeply reflective Portuguese artist-photographer Maria Oliveira. Her work bridges memory, place, and the human connection to nature, offering an intimate exploration of her artistic philosophy and process. About Our Guest: Maria Oliveira Maria Oliveira's work is rooted in her upbringing in a small, isolated village in northern Portugal, where silence and nature shaped her artistic voice. Her projects explore themes of memory, motherhood, connection to place, and the fragility of life. Maria's poetic perspective merges the visible and the intangible, creating works that are as introspective as they are universal. Through photography and writing, she examines transitions and the cycles of existence, reflecting a unique sensitivity to the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Tune in to this episode to: Discover Maria’s journey from poetry to photography and how writing remains integral to her creative process. Explore her projects, from revisiting her childhood home to working with her mother and capturing the fragility of salt fields. Gain insights into Maria’s artistic philosophy, which emphasizes freedom, intuition, and connection to place. Delve into the themes of spirituality, feminine archetypes, and the role of silence in creativity. Don’t forget to: Subscribe to our channel for more episodes that explore the intersections of art, photography, and human connection. Like and share this episode to celebrate Maria’s poetic and reflective artistry. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Episode Links: Website: ⁠www.mariaoliveira.pt⁠ | Instagram: ⁠@___maria.oliveira⁠___ OUTLINE: 0:00 - Coming Up...2:30 - Introduction and Maria’s Background3:11 - Growing up in an isolated village and its influence6:54 - Starting with poetry as her first artistic expression8:44 - Transitioning to photography and discovering her medium9:44 - Writing as part of her creative process10:44 - Family influence and the absence of an artistic background13:17 - How silence and emptiness shaped her introspection and creativity27:39 - Poetry’s influence and connection to nature37:54 - Revisiting her childhood home and its impact on her work46:37 - Working with her mother and strengthening their bond1:04:54 - Freedom and intuition in her creative practice1:12:07 - The fragility of nature through the metaphor of salt fields1:32:20 - Spirituality, mysticism, and blending the practical with the poetic1:54:12 - Closing reflections on art, place, and Maria’s evolving projects SOCIAL: Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast #MariaOliveira #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #PortugueseArt #VisualPoetry #ArtisticExploration #urbanautica #stevebisson #PatrickLeeHubbard