Seven statements, seven attempts

Abstract

   This article will attempt seven approaches to understand the work of Portuguese sculptor Zulmiro de Carvalho. His work spans from the early second half of the 20th century to the present day. His work is distinguished by a silence characteristic of a minimalist attitude with very unique tones. The main reference point is one of his sculptures installed in the city of Caldas da Rainha. A meditative journey will be presented with seven possible itineraries, demonstrating a unique poetics anchored in the transition from the obviousness of the materials to the latent nature of the sculpture, rooted in a deep knowledge of the origins and nature of sculptural work. Paying special attention to issues of surface and plasticity of materials, space is assessed as an active determinant of sculpture and a working process characterized by successive stages of decanting or cleaning that lead to formal and poetic refinement.