h The Caver and Podre painted different aspects of history, heritage and local mythology.

This painting represents "A Coca" the dragon from Monção.

Every year, during the Corpus Christi festivities, the epic battle between São Jorge and the dragon, here known as Coca, is celebrated in Monção. In the mythical story, Coca seeks to escape the persecution by the heroic Saint George. He ends up defeating the dragon with spear and sword blows. Initially, he begins by ripping off Coca's earrings, that contain his soul force and source of power. At the end of the fight, the diabolical figure is defeated, when Saint George manages to mortally wound it, inserting a spear or sword into its throat.

This is one of many popular traditions that represent the supremacy of good over evil. In this case it can be closely linked to the struggle for sovereignty and national affirmation of Portugal and the war of independence, very present in the imagination of this border territory called Monção.

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Opened on April 24, 2021, coinciding with the opening of the Monção & Memórias Museum, the sculpture “Coca”, by the artist Bordalo II, located in the external area of the museum, was inspired by the imaginary dragon of Monção, transmitting a message of sustainability and environmental awareness.

With a strong visual impact and a strong ecological component, the work of art, eight meters high and four meters wide, is made of "high-density plastic, parts of recycling bins, parts of car bumpers", among other types of "garbage, waste, and residues that cause contamination and pollution". It was the first time that Bordalo II “created” a mythological figure, and it was also his first work in the Minho region.

About this sculpture, Bordalo II said: "I took a character that doesn't exist to warn about a reality that does exist. The need to preserve nature. My idea was to change the original concept of the story of Coca, which is a bad animal, taking us to question man's acti

Dragon

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