Azulejo

Nuno Palhas, known artistically as Third, has transformed a once-anonymous wall at the Santos Pousada Electrical Transformation Station in Porto into a striking mural that celebrates the neighborhood’s everyday life. Commissioned by the Porto Urban Art Program, the mural draws inspiration from three key elements: cats, camellias, and traditional Portuguese tiles. These motifs reflect the local culture and environment, cats commonly seen in the area, camellias as a symbol of the city, and tiles as a nod to Porto’s architectural heritage.

Third’s mural, which he would title simply “The Tile,” features a vivid blue and yellow palette, chosen to honor the traditional colors of Porto’s iconic ceramics. Though the tiles are painted rather than real, their intricate patterns create the illusion of a massive ceramic surface. The mural’s lifelike cats, depicted in various poses, subtly narrate the rhythms of daily life, from morning stretches to evening repose, evoking a sense of familiarity and warmth.

This work also connects to Third’s earlier mural, Casa das Camélias, creating a thematic thread through the city. For the artist, who began his creative journey with graffiti and now explores oil painting and classical drawing, urban art is a dynamic medium that invites public interaction and interpretation. He sees his murals not just as artworks, but as mirrors of the communities they inhabit, blending tradition with contemporary expression. Through this piece, Third offers Porto a vibrant tribute to its identity, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and engage with their surroundings.