A couple of weeks ago, our collectors gathered for an exclusive visit to Oficina Marques, the Lisbon-based studio and exhibition space of the artist duo. Although the space is usually closed to the public on Saturday mornings, it opened especially for our group, creating the conditions for an intimate and focused encounter.

Oficina Marques brings together studio, shop, and gallery within one carefully structured space. The layout itself reveals the logic of their practice: from idea and conception, to production, and finally to presentation and sale. Moving through each area allowed collectors to understand not only the finished works, but also the processes, decisions, and technical demands behind them.

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The visit began in the studio, where the artists welcomed us and introduced their practice from its foundations. They spoke about their collaboration as a duo, their shared visual language, and the evolution of their work across different media: wood, ceramics, tiles, drawing, and mixed techniques. Their universe draws from nature, Portuguese daily life, and storytelling traditions, elements that consistently shape their formal vocabulary.

A significant part of the morning was dedicated to understanding their production methods, particularly in ceramics. Collectors were able to see materials, tools, and ongoing works, gaining insight into the technical stages behind pieces that often appear deceptively simple in their final form.

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Two recent projects were presented in depth.

The first was their collaboration with Viúva Lamego, a collaboration resulting in a series of tiles. Here, the artists entered into dialogue with one of Portugal’s most historic ceramic manufacturers, merging their visual language with a centuries-old technical tradition.

The second project focused on their intervention for Hermès in Spain and Portugal. Commissioned to create window displays across all stores in both countries, the duo discussed the conceptual and logistical challenges of working at this scale. They reflected on how collaborating with brands can expand the reach of their practice while maintaining coherence with their artistic identity.

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Following the studio visit, the group moved into the shop and gallery spaces. Here, the artists explained how their pieces shift according to different series and projects, demonstrating how experimentation and continuity coexist within their body of work.

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The morning offered more than a studio tour; it provided access to the thinking behind the work. The exclusivity of the opening, combined with the direct dialogue between collectors and artists, fostered a rare level of proximity and transparency. By tracing the path from concept to execution and ultimately to presentation, the visit reinforced an essential dimension of collecting: understanding not only what one acquires, but how and why it comes into being.

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