Overview

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The Grindr Azulejo series reimagines Portugal’s iconic azulejo tiles through the lens of queer identity in the digital age. Created during my two-week residency at the OBRAS Foundation in Portugal in 2018, these acrylic paintings transform the historic blue-and-white azulejo aesthetic into a reflection on the impermanence and intimacy of digital connections, especially within platforms like Grindr.
 

Inspiration

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While in Lisbon, I was drawn to the timeless beauty and symbolism of azulejos—the tiles that cover the walls of centuries-old buildings with images of stoic, hyper-masculine figures. These traditional artworks inspired me to explore how queer men present themselves today, especially in online spaces where identity is fluid, curated, and often fragmented.

In Grindr Azulejo, I juxtapose the enduring, almost sacred quality of azulejo with the fleeting nature of digital culture. Each piece captures fragmented, anonymous figures taking selfies, scrolling, or awaiting connection—echoes of our digital personas, shaped by technology yet marked by vulnerability.
 

Artistic Approach

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Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Color Palette: Blue & White, Inspired by Azulejo Tradition

These works are a reinterpretation, where the historic meets the ephemeral. Limiting the palette to azulejo’s classic blue and white, I wanted to capture the way Grindr encourages self-objectification, with figures both obscured and exposed. The style contrasts the intimacy of private moments with the public, often performative nature of digital identities.

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