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I am waiting

Dimensions
45.0 x 300.0 cm

A peaceful park bench setting captures a moment of stillness in Fernanda Fragateiro's 1999 sculpture I am waiting, inviting you to explore this evocative piece of contemporary Portuguese art.

Explore the site-specific sculptures & architectural interventions of Fernanda Fragateiro, a renowned Portuguese artist. Her minimalist works reinterpret modernism, blending sculpture, landscape, and subtle historical references.

The artwork displayed on this page is protected by copyright law, which means we cannot legally create or sell an identical reproduction. This protection is enforced under international agreements such as the Berne Convention and by national laws, including those outlined by the U.S. Copyright Law - Title 17.

This method fully complies with copyright regulations because it does not involve copying or duplicating the protected artwork. Instead, it is a creative reinterpretation - a new painting that is influenced by the original but not identical to it.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. ( Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)

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Total Price

$ 62

I am waiting

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 62

Quick Facts

  • Medium: Sculpture
  • Subject or theme: Peaceful park setting, waiting, nature
  • Title: I am waiting
  • Location: Museu Internacional de Escultura Contemporânea
  • Year: 1999

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
What is the primary subject of the artwork 'I am waiting'?
Question 2:
In which country was this piece created?
Question 3:
What is the physical medium/type of this artwork?
Question 4:
Based on the description, what material forms the seat of the bench?
Question 5:
What year was 'I am waiting' created?

The Poetics of Stillness: Encountering 'I am waiting'

In the quiet intersection where sculpture meets landscape, Fernanda Fragateiro’s 1999 masterpiece, I am waiting, invites the viewer into a profound moment of contemplation. This evocative work, which functions as both an architectural intervention and a sculptural object, transcends its physical form to become a vessel for emotion. At first glance, the piece presents us with the familiar: a weathered bench, its wooden seat resting upon a sturdy metal frame, nestled within the soft embrace of a park-like setting. Yet, through Fragateiro’s masterful lens, this mundane object is elevated to a symbol of profound patience and temporal suspension. The visible textures of age—the grain of the wood and the industrial precision of the metal screws—speak to a dialogue between human craftsmanship and the inevitable passage of time.

The composition draws the eye into a close-up intimacy, stripping away the distractions of the wider world to focus on the tactile reality of the bench. The presence of a tree in the background provides a soft, organic counterpoint to the structured, man-made elements of the seat, creating a balanced tension between the built environment and the natural world. This interplay is central to Fragateiro’s artistic practice, as she is renowned for her ability to create site-specific works that do not merely occupy space but actively transform it. In I am waiting, the bench becomes a stage for an invisible protagonist, prompting us to imagine the countless souls who have sat, rested, and waited in such a place, leaving behind only the quiet echoes of their presence.

A Legacy of Architectural Dialogue

To understand the depth of this work, one must look toward the artist’s sophisticated background. Born in Setúbal, Portugal, Fernanda Fragateiro developed a rigorous academic foundation at the Lisbon School of Fine Arts, which later informed her unique ability to blend minimalist sculpture with architectural precision. Her practice is characterized by an archaeological approach to space, where she treats the environment as a living document. In I am waiting, we see the culmination of this philosophy; the work acts as a subtle alteration of the landscape, a quiet intervention that asks the viewer to slow down and observe the nuances of their surroundings.

The emotional resonance of the piece lies in its title alone. The declaration "I am waiting" transforms the bench from a functional object into a sentient entity, imbued with a sense of longing or perhaps peaceful anticipation. For collectors and interior designers, this artwork offers more than just aesthetic beauty; it provides a focal point for reflection. Whether placed in a contemporary gallery setting or integrated into a sophisticated residential design, the piece brings an atmosphere of serenity and intellectual depth. It serves as a reminder that even in our most frantic moments, there is profound beauty to be found in the act of simply being, and in the quiet strength found in waiting.

Questions & Answers

Where in the home does a reproduction of "I am waiting" fit well?

A reproduction of "I am waiting" fits well in a hallway.

Where does "I am waiting" stand among Fernanda Fragateiro's recurring subjects?

Among Fernanda Fragateiro's recorded themes - modernist minimalism, architectural interventions, site-specific engagement, landscape integration, public space dialogue - "I am waiting" brings its own focus on sculpture, park bench, minimalism, site-specific, nature, public art.

When was "I am waiting" created, and to which movement does it belong?

"I am waiting" was created in 1999 as a work of the Contemporary Minimalism movement. Date and movement anchor the artwork in art history.


Artist Biography

Early Life and Education

  • Born: Setúbal, Portugal (1962)
  • Fernanda Fragateiro's artistic journey began in Montijo, Portugal, where she was born in 1962.
  • She demonstrated an early aptitude for the arts, leading her to study at Escola Secundária Artística António Arroio from 1978 to 1981, a specialized secondary school focusing on applied arts.
  • Her formal artistic education continued at the Centro para Arte e Comunicação Visual (AR.CO) from 1981 to 1982 and culminated in a degree from the Lisbon School of Fine Arts (now Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon) between 1983 and 1987.

Artistic Practice and Style

  • Site-Specific Sculptures & Architectural Interventions: Fragateiro is renowned for her site-specific sculptures and architectural interventions, often collaborating with architects and landscape architects. These works are not merely placed within a space but actively engage with it, transforming the environment through subtle alterations.
  • Archaeological Approach: Her artistic process involves an "archaeological approach," examining the social, political, and aesthetic aspects of modernist practices. She unearths hidden narratives and stories embedded in locations.
  • Minimalist Reinterpretation: Fragateiro reinterprets minimalism through subtle modifications to existing landscapes or objects, creating a dialogue between the artwork and its surroundings.
  • Materials & Techniques: Her sculptures often incorporate found metals, mass-produced goods, fabrics from factories, used books, and rubble from construction sites, imbuing them with layers of history and meaning.

Major Works and Exhibitions

  • 1998 Lisbon World Exposition Collaborations: Fragateiro contributed to significant projects for the 1998 Lisbon World Exposition, including the Jardim das Ondas (Wave Garden), Jardins da Água (Water Gardens), and Jardins de Ulisses (Ulysses' Gardens).
  • Calouste Gulbenkian Museum Summer Festival (2016): She distributed sculptures throughout the museum’s gardens, creating an immersive experience for visitors.
  • Notable Exhibitions: Her work has been featured in numerous prestigious exhibitions internationally, including:
    • Coimbra Contemporary Art Biennial (2017)
    • Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT), Lisbon (2017)
    • Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Rome (2017)
    • Palm Springs Art Museum, California (2016)
    • Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York (2014)

Influences and Historical Significance

  • Modernism & Minimalism: Fragateiro’s work is deeply rooted in modernist principles, particularly minimalism. However, she transcends traditional minimalist aesthetics by incorporating historical context and social commentary into her sculptures.
  • Architectural History: Her collaborations with architects and landscape architects demonstrate a keen interest in the interplay between art and architecture.
  • Feminist Discourse & Political Revisionism: Fragateiro’s artistic practice engages with feminist discourse and political revisionism, challenging conventional perspectives on space, memory, and power.
  • Contemporary Art Landscape: Fernanda Fragateiro has made a significant contribution to the contemporary art landscape by creating thought-provoking works that explore the relationship between art, architecture, history, and society. Her subtle interventions and meticulous attention to detail invite viewers to reconsider their perception of space and engage with the complexities of the modern world.
Fernanda Fragateiro

Fernanda Fragateiro

1962 - , Portugal

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: fernanda fragateiro
  • Nationality: Portuguese
  • Date Of Birth: 1962
  • Place Of Birth: Setúbal, Portugal
  • Notable Artworks:
    • I am waiting
    • Site-specific sculptures
  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Minimalism, Site-specific art
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