Martin Azambuja, an accomplished Uruguayan designer, is currently making a significant impact in the New York arts community. Previously a part of Micheal Bierut’s reputed team at Pentagram, Azambuja now plays the key role of senior designer at Porto Rocha. Alongside his co-founder Francisco Roca, he has embarked on an intriguing publishing venture that aims at exploring the rich and deserving, but often ignored illustrative history of Uruguay.
Together, Azambuja and Roca have launched an innovative print series called “Unfolding”. This series creatively intertwines challenge and possibility and embodies each artist’s unique visual identity. The “Unfolding” series is intended to be more than a passive artistic experience. It encourages its audience to actively engage with the pieces, unfolding layers of the artist’s essence while also exploring diverse artistic styles.
Each artwork of the series is a labor of love, created with four different inks on the front and a single ink for the back, all meticulously imprinted on luxurious silk.
Uruguayan influence shaping New York’s art
These artwork pieces are versatile, providing a range of display options, whether in a library, on a shelf, or mounted on a wall. Committed to this innovative series, the publishers are set to release more of these captivating prints by the end of the year.
Creativity certainly does not stop at the prints for this dynamic team. They’re also venturing into an ephemera book themed around Buenos Aires’s bookstore labels. Additionally, they are diving into a historical event – the single conference appearance of renowned designer Milton Glaser in Buenos Aires in 1987, a significant event that marked a turning point in the academic history of the city.
Adding even more expertise to the team is Steven Heller, a titan in the design and writing industries. Heller’s addition to the project promises an enriching blend of professional knowledge, decades-long experience, and a unique perspective, all of which are eagerly anticipated by the team. Heller’s recent memoir, “Growing Up Underground”, provides further proof of his creative genius, and showcases his personal journey and invaluable insight. The team anticipates greatly benefiting from Heller’s vast wealth of knowledge and experience.
