 |
Alcebíades Sabino da Gama, known as Gaminha, was born in 1958 in Lajes do Murié (MG) and arrived in Embu when he was 3 years old. “I’ve worked as a doorman and as a school inspector, night watchman and driver, but art has always been close by. It’s tough, because sometimes I can’t even make enough money to buy food, but I make woodcarvings, signs and images of Saint Francis, which always sell well. There was a time when we could earn 10 times the minimum wage by selling art. Then everything changed. There used to be a lot of art exhibitions, tourists and collectors around, but I think they’ve stopped coming because they were tired of always seeing the same things.” Gaminha now has the help of three sons, who have also learned the traditional dance Mineiro-Pau. “But things aren’t easy. I’ve been thinking about becoming a greengrocer, because at least I know everybody needs to eat. Art has become a luxury and we can’t just sit and wait for people to turn up. Meanwhile, I can always sculpt in my spare time.” |
