Maria Bruno Néo, PhD student in Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto, will be speaking about her project titled “The Incomplete History of Portuguese Design: Contributions to the inscription of designer Helena Cardoso” on Monday March 10 at 15:15-16:30 in Blå rummet, LUX A332 (History department).

This research focuses on addressing the lack of recognition of women professionals in the History of Portuguese Design, with the goal of highlighting designer Helena Cardoso as an important figure in the field. Helena Cardoso, a pioneer in Portuguese design, has dedicated her career to revitalizing traditional knowledge and empowering marginalized communities, particularly women in rural underprivileged regions. With over 50 years of experience, she continues to actively engage in her work by collaborating with various craftspeople to create contemporary pieces. The research will involve multiple methodological phases and approaches, including semi-structured interviews, life stories, content analysis, and thematic structuring. Overall, the aim is to inscribe Helena Cardoso as a legitimate and undervalued agent in the History of Portuguese Design. Cardoso also collaborated with the Lund based humanitarian organization Individuell Människohjälp (The Swedish Organization for Individual Relief) with supporting women textile cooperatives in Portugal in the 1980s and 1990s. The presentation opens up for reflections on transnational relations and help to self-help initiatives in a European context.

Maria Bruno Néo (Lisbon, Portugal) is a designer whose work encompasses product design, sustainable design and social design, with a focus on the intersection between traditional crafts, contemporary technology and heritage. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. Néo holds a scholarship from the Foundation for Science and Technology for her doctoral research and she is affiliated with the ID+ Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture (ID+).

All are warmly welcome!

Maria Småberg (History), Emma Severinsson (Fashion Studies) and Elsa Hedling (European Studies)