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Anésio Chaves was born in Caçapava (SP) in 1944. He grew up in the countryside and after finishing primary school he moved to Taubaté. There, he worked for 16 years as a baker and then at a factory. Finally, after retiring he discovered clay. The life of a figurine maker was familiar to him, having married Ismênia Aparecida dos Santos, who came from a family of traditional artists including Idalina and Anastácia. After watching Ismênia working with clay, Anésio started making his own pieces at the Figurine Makers House in Taubaté, which offers the use of a kiln to local artists. “My pieces weren’t like hers. I’ve always made things I see around me and whatever else comes to my mind. I like making folkloric characters, like the werewolf. Animals and native Indians as well.” Anésio is now recovering from a heart operation, and hopes to be able to start working again soon. His pieces are spontaneous and expressive, very different from the traditional shapes normally used by local figurine makers at Imaculada Conceição Street. Ismênia is more traditional, and likes to work with regional themes. “We must preserve our history, because we have roots here. Young people nowadays don’t want to learn how to work with clay. They are always in a hurry and want to make money fast, but this is a tradition that goes back a long way, and we must be proud of it.” Ismênia was born in Taubaté, at Imaculada Conceição Street, in 1950. |
