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He says his body isn’t good for much anymore. His legs are weak, and he’s had to stop sculpting big tree trunks. Manuel de Jesus Aires Luz – Mr. Aires – is tired, something inevitable for someone who used to work the land every day. Retired for over 35 years, he still needs to top up his earnings. “Since I was a kid I have enjoyed drawing on paper. I used to draw every animal I saw. I think that was the start of it. Then I started drawing on wood and carving. I can’t carry heavy stuff anymore so I make light things.” He makes small animals out of buriti palm tree stalks, corn cobs, branches he finds along the way, fibres and the will to create more and more. His crickets are fantastic, and seem ready to jump. The “Sailors” are totem like figures, travelling on a boat made of buriti palm tree stalk, who seem to be chanting a deep sad song. |
