With a background in Fine Arts and a career spanning photography, design, ceramics, curating and teaching, Sílvia has developed a multidisciplinary practice in which different creative disciplines naturally inform and enrich one another.
At SCAR-ID, this journey takes shape through a curatorial approach grounded in quality, sustainability and the promotion of independent designers and makers.
"Ethics cannot be taught; it comes from within. Sustainability, in turn, is a responsibility that comes with the way we choose to position ourselves in society."
Q: How did your creative journey begin? How did it lead you to where you are today? What influence has your Fine Arts background had on your career?
A: My degree in Fine Arts at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto gave me a broad foundation that allowed me to work across different creative disciplines over the years. I've worked in photography, ceramics, design, curating and teaching, and I feel that this education is the thread that connects all the professional experiences I've accumulated.
Interestingly, I haven't painted since graduating. Perhaps one day I'll return to it.
My career has unfolded quite naturally, without a defined plan. Each opportunity led to the next — from photography to teaching, from Art History to coordinating the Product Design programme at IAI, and more recently to ceramics, where I rediscovered the pleasure of working directly with the material.
Q: Has any particular education or professional experience shaped your perspective on the relationship between design, ethics and sustainability?
A: My background in Fine Arts was fundamental in developing a broad understanding of the creative disciplines. In the case of SCAR-ID, much of what we've learned has come through twelve years of hands-on experience, facing challenges and finding creative ways to respond to them.
Ethics cannot be taught; it comes from within. Sustainability is a natural extension of that mindset. By introducing new products into an already saturated market, we believe it is our responsibility to do so with a sense of purpose, encouraging more conscious consumption: buying less, but buying better.
For us, sustainability is above all about proximity, responsibility and care.
Q: How would you describe the curatorial approach behind SCAR-ID? What role does having a physical space play in the project?
A: Curating happens very organically. I'm constantly paying attention to what's happening across the creative fields, so whenever I feel the need to introduce a new brand, organise an exhibition or host a conversation, it all comes together quite naturally.
Having a physical space is absolutely essential. We work with tangible objects and real people, and the shop-gallery is where those two dimensions come together.
I strongly believe in the importance of a vibrant city — one shaped by independent shops, galleries, cafés, studios, florists and cultural spaces that bring urban life to the streets. I feel that SCAR-ID is part of that dialogue and that ecosystem. To me, maintaining a physical shop-gallery is almost a manifesto in support of urban life and human connection.
SCAR-ID simply wouldn't make sense without that physical space.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing independent and sustainable design in Portugal today?
A: The main challenge remains the same: the limited purchasing power of Portuguese consumers. The products we present are fairly priced for the people who create them, but they are not always compatible with the country’s economic reality.
At the same time, small brands also face major production challenges. There is still limited openness within the industry to collaborating with independent designers and projects.
Q: What does the Miguel Bombarda neighbourhood mean to you?
A: We've been based in Bombarda for more than twelve years, and during that time the neighbourhood has evolved significantly. While it was once defined primarily by its art galleries, today it is also home to independent shops, studios, cafés, florists and many other projects that give it a distinctive character. It's this diversity that makes Bombarda such a special place to work.
There is a genuine sense of community, mutual support and closeness here. We know one another, we collaborate, and we know we can rely on each other whenever it's needed.
Portfolio
SCAR-ID brings together curating, independent design and artistic practice, showcasing independent brands, responsible production and projects spanning a range of creative disciplines, from ceramics to contemporary design.
SCAR-I10 — Open Call / Exhibition (2023)
A project celebrating SCAR-ID's tenth anniversary, bringing together more than 50 participants through a multidisciplinary open call, a series of conversations and a final exhibition.
Liquid Amalgam — Stoneware Vase with White Glaze
A ceramic piece created by the artist as part of SCAR-ID's 10th Anniversary Open Call. It is part of the ATER collection.
Jacket — Black Acrylic on White
A piece from the ATER × LIV collection, created in collaboration with the brand LIV.
How to Collaborate
SCAR-ID is dedicated to curating and promoting independent designer brands and makers, bringing together fashion, accessories, ceramics and design objects produced with care and responsibility.
Alongside its shop-gallery, SCAR-ID also develops creative consultancy projects, curatorial collaborations, partnerships and mentoring for independent brands.
Whether you would like to discover the represented brands, propose a collaboration or visit the space, the SCAR-ID team is always happy to welcome new projects and new ideas.
Contacts
Website
Instagram Scar-ID
Instagram Silvia Pinto Costa
Email: info@scar-id.com
