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Manoel Cordeiro de Sá Filho used to work as a farmer under the harsh sun of Pernambuco, near the town of Floresta (PE). Chance put him on the path to art. “I was 22 years old when I went to Ibimirim and saw the wood work of my brother-in-law. I stayed around and learned with him. Since I was 25 years old I’ve been living from sculpting sacred figurines. Ibimirim has this tradition, which started with Zefinha Paulino.” Like so many other craft artists in the region, Master Manoel, as he is known, also used to sculpt figureheads but the other figurines are worth more. “I make life-size saints for churches and always go to markets and exhibitions where there is a lot of demand for my work. I also had a lot of publicity when I made the first image of Saint Paulina – the first Brazilian saint – for the Pope.” At home, all the family is involved in the art of sculpting. He is helped by his wife and children. His wife never thought she would one day be working with paint and chisels. “I started helping Manoel from necessity, because there weren’t many jobs around. I used to watch him. Then I had a go myself.” |
