Hidden Shore
Where the Wood Meets the Shore
Hidden Shore began with a naturally shaped section of well-seasoned chestnut wood whose unusual form suggested something more than a conventional tabletop. Between its two principal knots, a distinctive Z-shaped opening runs through the composition, resembling a lightning bolt. Rather than simply closing these natural voids with dark resin, d’Almeida chose to preserve their depth and introduce another language: fine beach sand, small shells and stones, held within transparent resin. A shell rises partially above the resin, creating a tactile three-dimensional detail that can be discovered by touch as well as sight. Subtle blue glitter adds colour to selected openings in this version. The result is a functional artwork in which the character of the original chestnut remains dominant, while carefully chosen interventions transform its natural imperfections into a quiet coastal landscape.
