The winning work, titled “Homo Fluens”, was inspired by the English Mug from the Royal Glass Factory of Coina (1719-1747), a piece from the MNSR's collection. Instead of replicating the historical object, André da Loba focused on the primordial gesture of its creation: the breath that shapes matter. The figure of Homo Fluens represents the creator who, through their own breath, invents and transmits knowledge.
The composition draws an analogy between the glass master and the wind instrument musician, both using air to give form to something new. The work's marbled texture was manipulated in water solely by the artist's breath, translating the original gesture into contemporary graphic creation.
André da Loba, an internationally renowned illustrator and visual artist, develops multidisciplinary work. A collaborator for publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, he has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators of New York and the Bologna Children's Book Fair. In 2025, he won the National Illustration Award. He is currently based in Porto and represented by Galeria Cruzes Canhoto.
The Afinidades Program, a strategic partnership between the MNSR and the Associação Quarteirão Criativo, aims to bring the museum closer to its neighborhood and foster dialogue between historical heritage and contemporary creative practices. The third edition included workshops, guided tours, and the publication of a catalog.
