Hello: Eloïse Grace Winter | Artist-Translator

I grew up in Vale de Moses, running around the valley, swimming in the rivers, weather watching and stargazing for hours on end, with my love fuelled family of four beautiful humans, one famous dog and one timeless cat. 

I left the valley at 15 to go to one of Portugal’s most famous art schools, António Arroio. It was a whirlwind of a first year in a big city, which was a totally new experience compared to a childhood that started in South East London and continued in Oleiros, and trying out all kinds of art mediums the school had to offer. I chose to focus on silversmithing due to my sheer amazement at how a bunch of teenagers could learn to make objects so beautifully intricate in shape and in concept. It’s been just over ten years since then and I haven’t stopped being fascinated by jewellery making. 

From there, I made a quick university degree stop in England to pursue metalsmithing in the School of Jewellery BCU, where I specialised in traditional handskills with a BA(hons) in CAD design and design for industry. 

After finishing my degree mid pandemic, I came back to Vale de Moses and set up my home studio, released my first collection in 2022, and got reacquainted with the rich and vibrant arts and culture scene in Portugal, mainly from a diasporic point of view. I joined the team of The Blacker The Berry Project, where I continue to act as Head of Safer spaces, organising events, creative workshops, parties, protests, public talks and exhibitions. 

Alongside my jewellery making, I am also an avid writer and illustrator, who uses both mediums to add depth to the worlds that live in the tiny pieces of metal that are born in each collection, which sometimes lead me to different kinds of public poetic performances.  

For the time being, I’ll be at Vale de Moses. Marvelling at the valleys daily beauty and my family’s years and years of hard work and love. 

Probably dancing as I clean and sweep, hammer away in my workshop, geek over new ideas and art techniques with my family, melt at the sweetness of my nephew and niece, and find clever and heartfelt ways to continue to invite art and its artists into the valley to rest, play, and maybe just make something new. 

Até jáh,

Love! 

Eloïse Grace Winter