Ramiro Barboza de Araújo was born in Ceará-Mirim (Rio Grande do Norte) in 1938. Early on he started working on the land, catching crabs, fishing and helping in all sorts of jobs until he got married. “Using my wits I then learned to make doors. One day I had some imburana wood left over. I started cutting it and thought I could make something with it. I thought about making a horse but it ended up looking like a sheep. I put it away until a young cousin of mine saw it and asked if she could have it. I gave it to her. Another day, I made another door and again had some wood left over and this time I managed to make the horse. I decided to find out more about this. I started making things, houses and small animals. When my daughter was born I made toys for her and later on I started selling my pieces.” Ramiro found out so much that his wooden figurines seem to be wearing real leather clothes. Hats, saddles and coats even feature the details of needlework. “My mother was a seamstress. I watched her and even made a sewing machine, with all the parts. And I sign my work as Ramiro Barboza.”
The sewing machine is an extraordinary piece of work, from the thread barrel to the tiny joints that open and close the machine. Perfection in every detail. In 1972 he exhibited his work at Câmara Cascudo Library in the José Augusto Fundation in Natal. His work can be seen at the Galeria de Arte Antiga e Contemporânea, in Natal.