Bordallo Pinheiro Maria, a Nobody Sardine

The Maria, a Nobody Sardine, designed by Susana Lai, is a poetic and visually striking ceramic piece that explores themes of invisibility, individuality, and resilience. At first glance, it depicts an octopus swimming in a dense school of fish — but look closer, and you’ll discover a deeper story. Here, the octopus represents Maria — a figure who blends into the crowd, unnoticed, yet possesses a quiet power and intelligence of her own. Handcrafted and hand-painted in Portugal, this sardine is a contemplative and artistic expression that goes beyond decoration — it's a tribute to those who live on the margins, yet shape the world in quiet, meaningful ways.