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Wandecok Cavalcanti de Almeida was born in the hometown of clay – Caruaru (PE), and used to play with pieces made by Master Vitalino, which his father used to buy at the market. “I had a complete clay farm, full of oxen.” But he didn’t get into that kind of work straight away. “At 12 or 13 I started making woodcarvings, and only experimented with clay after moving to Tracunhaém (PE), when I was 18. I used to watch ceramists at work, and that’s how I learned. I started working as an assistant, preparing the clay for others.” Always curious and careful with details, he traveled around working and learning about clay. He attended a course at the Liturgic Art Museum in Olinda (PE), and a Baroque workshop in Salvador (BA). “I spent my life between Brasília and Pernambuco, taking my family with me. But now we’ve had enough, and we are going to stay in Planaltina.” At home, Wandecok works on the verandah. The kiln is close by, and his art is improving all the time. “I consider myself to be self taught, because everything I know I achieved by myself by practicing, looking at books, watching other sculptors and researching. I had the chance to attend a few courses and workshops, but I think I’ve always had a gift.” He really enjoys researching the different clays that can be found in different places. “A lot of people call themselves ceramists but they’ve never prepared a bit of clay in their lives. I hope one day I’ll reveal this art in a book.” |
