Ricardo Romero Unveils Sopro (Breath) at Festival Marinha Grande, BREATH: PUBLIC ART
The third major installation of this year’s Festival Marinha Grande, BREATH: PUBLIC ART has been revealed: Sopro (Breath), an impactful new sculpture by Portuguese artist Ricardo Romero. Standing at approximately three metres high, the work pays homage to the rich glassmaking heritage of Marinha Grande while commemorating the centenary of renowned sculptor Joaquim Correia.
Fusing historical tribute and contemporary innovation, Sopro draws direct inspiration from the plaster studies that defined Correia’s sculptural language. Rather than replicating the past, Romero reinterprets it through state-of-the-art technology combining high-resolution digital scanning, 3D modelling, and advanced additive manufacturing processes. The resulting sculpture echoes the expressive qualities of Correia’s original maquettes while offering a bold, forward-looking perspective on traditional craft.
Sopro by Ricardo Romero: a breath cast in time. Image © Ricardo Romero
At its core, Sopro celebrates the glassmakers whose skill and labour shaped the identity of Marinha Grande. Through the symbolic focus on “breath” , the essential, generative force behind glassblowing, the sculpture becomes a tribute to the region’s artisanal legacy. Romero captures this moment of breath with monumental presence, transforming a fleeting gesture into an enduring symbol of cultural continuity.
Sopro by Ricardo Romero: a breath cast in time. Image © Ricardo Romero
The artist subtly integrates nature into the work. A small squirrel perched on the sculpture’s shoulder introduces a gentle narrative element while reinforcing themes central to Romero’s practice: humanity’s dependence on natural resources and our interconnected relationship with the environment. This delicate detail encourages close viewing and invites reflection on the ecological origins of all material creation.
Sopro by Ricardo Romero: a breath cast in time. Image © Ricardo Romero
Sopro is a conversation between past and present, It honours the lineage of Marinha Grande while embracing the tools of our time. It celebrates breath of the glassmakers, of the land, and of artistic heritage itself.
With this installation, the BREATH: PUBLIC ART festival continues its commitment to commissioning works that reinterpret tradition, stimulate public dialogue, and animate the city through contemporary artistic expression.
Browse the collection of limited edition artworks by Ricardo Romero here