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As a successful artist, Isabel Mendes (da Cunha) began a tradition in the Jequitinhonha Vale with her style of dolls and regional scenes. “But life wasn’t always easy. I was born on a farm in Itinga, in 1924, and always worked the land. My mother was a potter. All her colleagues worked with clay. We worked very hard on the land and my father collected the clay for my mother to make pots for us to use and to sell. As a child I made dolls and animals. I used to leave my figurines next to my mother’s pots, so she could fire them all together. There was no school around here so I never studied, but I never stopped making my figurines.” Isabel grew up and married a cowboy who died early. “I’ve been living in Santana do Araçuaí for 58 years, and raised four children with my clay work. I had to make the things that sold well, because I had to make a living. People used to value things they found in the shops, ready made. I would name my price and no one would buy, because they thought it was expensive. When Codevale (Company for Development of the Jequitinhonha Vale) turned up and took our things away for an exhibition, it was a good start. I started making my dolls, first as a bottle, then as a single piece. I get the clay from around here. I started making brides, pregnant ladies, women breastfeeding, couples. I taught a lot of people in this area, and I think art can be a good way of life if you have inspiration, will and dedication. My children help me, and now I really appreciate my work.” Her daughter Margarida is always by her side, helping her and moulding her own girls and women. Her son Amadeus Mendes helps with the clay although the farm is still his main activity. Daughter Gloria and granddaughter Andrea already show a talent that seems to be the fate of the family. The son-in-law João Pereira de Andrade has learned so well that he now has his own career. |
