Atlas of Hidden Greens

Larissa Monteiro received a grant for the development of Atlas of Hidden Greens: an illustrated book and guide for young readers that explores the connection between urban biodiversity, art, and wellbeing. The project develops a visual world where real green spaces and imagined ecosystems intertwine, revealing how life adapts and flourishes within the city. Combining illustration, sensory design, and ecological observation, the book invites readers to slow down and rediscover the hidden vitality of their surroundings. Each story and visual composition draws inspiration from places such as Essenburgpark, Brienenoord Island, and De Esch, celebrating the subtle interdependence between humans and other species. Created for a new generation facing disconnection from nature, Atlas of Hidden Greens offers a poetic, playful, and educational way to look at the living city with renewed attention and care.

Larissa is a Rotterdam-based multidisciplinary artist and designer whose work moves between visual arts, ecology, and mental health. Her practice explores how art and design can nurture sensory awareness, emotional wellbeing, and a sense of belonging within the living world. Through illustration, sensory design, and participatory storytelling, she creates works that invite reflection and reconnection with urban biodiversity. Her recent projects bridge artistic research with education, developing creative tools and workshops that encourage young audiences to experience their environments through curiosity and care. Combining scientific curiosity with poetic sensitivity, Larissa’s work translates complex ecological ideas into accessible, multisensory experiences that celebrate interdependence and the resilience of life in urban settings.