Sombras Brancas II 

Lourdes Castro created “Sombras Brancas II,” or “White Shadows II,” using a screenprinting technique that allowed her to play with layering and transparency. Castro was working in a period of significant social and political change, particularly in Portugal, where she was born. The use of shadows in Castro's work, especially when considering the political context of mid-20th century Portugal, invites a deeper look into themes of visibility and invisibility. White, often associated with purity and erasure, might suggest a tension between presence and absence, mirroring the way certain voices or histories can be marginalized. This piece has a dreamlike quality, evoking a sense of memory and reflection, which encourages us to consider what stories are being told and whose perspectives are highlighted or left in the shadows. Castro once said, "Shadows are everywhere, but we don't always see them." “Sombras Brancas II” acts as a poignant reminder of what remains unseen and unacknowledged.