Mar di Firmeza

The inspiration for this painting came from the old photo albums I used to look through as a child. I’m the daughter of immigrant parents who left Cabo Verde when they were young, to build a new life in the Netherlands. Those photo albums were full of young faces, proud, hopeful and full of life. I remember being fascinated by how people looked in those photos, dressed in their best clothes, standing tall, sometimes serious, sometimes smiling, but always with pride.

For my parents’ generation, those photos were more than just pictures. They were messages to their families back home, saying, “I’m doing well, I’m making it here.” But behind those smiles, I could always feel something deeper… a mix of strength and sodade, a silent way of saying, “I’m far away, but I’m still connected.”

That feeling became the heart of this painting. It’s about strength, identity and what it means to build a life between two places.

I named it Mar di Firmeza, which means “Sea of Strength” in Cape Verdean Creole. The sea stands for both distance and connection. It separated Cape Verdeans immigrants from their home and family, yet carried them toward new beginnings. The sea is also a constant presence in Cape Verdean life and culture, always echoing in the songs of morna, in stories and memories, reminding you of home and sodade. The firmeza, the strength, is what kept them steady through it all….

Title: Mar di Firmeza
Year: 2025
Dimensions: 70x80 cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas