When art meets biodiversity: looking at Leiostyla pomboi

May 20, 2025

On 3 and 4 May, artist Margarida Andrade visited Santa Maria as part of the artistic project “não me esqueças”, an initiative supported by the LIFE SNAILS project, coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action. Drawing inspiration from Leiostyla pomboi, one of the island’s endemic species, the artist created a ceramic piece that invites reflection on the connections between humans and other species.

The “não me esqueças” project offers a sensitive and critical perspective on the planet’s transformation resulting from human activity, exploring the concepts of grief and loss in the climate crisis and biodiversity decline. The initiative, rooted in the endemic species of the Azores, fosters a broader reflection on the ecological and social consequences of our relationship with the natural world.

During her time on the island, Margarida Andrade led a collective reflective walk through the LIFE SNAILS project’s intervention areas, creating a moment of active listening to the landscape and the stories it holds. The event also featured a public open talk, where technical knowledge and practical experiences were shared on the importance of conserving vulnerable species, encouraging dialogue between art, science, and the local community.

Find out more about this project at: https://www.lifesnails.eu