From Arena Walls to Casa Poiares

One of the early interns walking into Chop Suey’s world, graphic designer Jort de Groot, has street art running through his veins.

Years later at Casa Poiares sketchbooks open and what starts as loose ideas slowly settles into something that carries the DNA of the street, raw and unpolished in the right way.

Jort comes out of the orbit of Step in the Arena, the annual gathering in Eindhoven where walls turn into battlegrounds of style and identity and names carry weight. His notorious “Piggy” tag pop up across surfaces, instantly recognizable, hard to ignore.

He doesn’t stop at murals. Chop Suey’s car, the roaming business card, gets a full-color makeover. Furniture and small objects are brought back with a contemporary edge.

Smoking Lounge

The Portuguese still smoke, that much is clear. Around São Miguel de Poiares, there’s an edge to it, a shared awareness that is always present. A few years ago, a wildfire tore through this area, fast and destructive, causing loss and leaving a lasting impact. Since then, people are more careful and aware of their surroundings; it’s something that comes naturally now.

So the approach stays simple but deliberate: keep it contained, keep it respectful, keep it in one place. No wandering off with a cigarette, no careless moments near dry grass waiting to catch.

From that idea, the smoking lounge takes shape. It is partly about design and partly about socializing. It is built from experience and a sense of responsibility, giving people a place to smoke without letting it get out of control.

Applied Graffiti Art

Driving into São Miguel de Poiares, it’s easy to spot Casa Poiares. A playful mural catches the eye: a big bull climbing a ladder that’s cracking under its weight, while below, Jort’s Piggy looks like it’s trying to make a run for it. Visitors to the busy restaurant next door can’t miss it, many smile as they park their cars.

A tribute to the artisanal lace tradition found across many European countries, these pieces take inspiration from what still can be seen in Portuguese streets. Narrow alleys with laced-up windows.

In the countryside, jerrycans are still used by field workers to fuel tools and small vehicles, simple objects that remain part of everyday life. In Jort’s work, old discarded military jerrycans are transformed into unexpected art.

A dull vintage gymnastics bench is suddenly looking light and welcoming, sprinkled with delicate yellow lace-like floral patterns.

Pop-Up Graffiti Workshop  

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