The piece made of solid Cedar Rose wood was carved by Rondinelly Santos, an artisan specialized in sacred art, who lives in the historic city of Tiradentes, MG. The flowing design of the volutes and acanthus leaves comes alive through his hands and runs across the dresser’s drawers, uniting them subtly, creating an optical effect that makes the wood appear soft.

Carving wood is to transform it, rewriting its history. This is how this dresser was born, translating the essence of Rococo period during the Brazilian colonisation.

This story started when I met Nelinho, more precisely Rondinelly Santos, an excellent carver who lives in Tiradentes, a historic Brazilian city from the beginning of the 18th century, located in Minas Gerais.
I was received with a shy smile and a sweet look and I was enchanted from the beginning with the simplicity and passion with which Nelinho described his craft and drew, with firm strokes, arabesques that seemed to have no beginning or end.
Watching him work was like embarking on a journey through time. to the Brazilian colonial period, when the then Rococo, who came from Europe, brought more light, more lightness and the idea of the joy of living.

I've learned in school that during the colonization of Brazil practically all the gold found in the region of Minas Gerais was extracted and taken from here to enrich the Crown of Portugal ... For me the story is different, our true gold is still there, latent, shining, we just need to see. It emerges through the hands of artisans who insist on not letting it run out.

Artisans, gold that flourish by hands

Making an allusion to the gold taken from Brazil by the Portuguese crown during the colonial period, the Artisans collection wants to show that the true Brazilian gold is still here, latent, waiting to be found.

There is an immense wealth stored in every artisan of this country, we just have to get rid of stereotypes and learn to see. The pieces of the collection are inspired by five artisans from Tiradentes (MG) and their different expertise.

Through them I present my gaze on the work of each one. There are dressers, tables, mirrors and lamps with the soul of each artisan and mine too.

Artisans are our wealth, our roots, our culture. Carvings, sculptures, embroidery and the like emerge from their hands, from their hearts love, respect and sensitivity. An honor for me that they allow me to enter their worlds and bring them into mine. Artisans Collection is a tribute to them, the people responsible for passing on much of our traditions.

Provenance

Cedar rose wood, Jaú, SP- Brazil
Carved wood, Tiradentes, MG - Brazil

Brass surface, São Paulo, SP - Brazil

Exhibitions

2019 | Artisans, the gold that emerges through the hands | Yankatu Gallery | São Paulo, SP - Brazil