Born into a family of artisans, Marcos Costa learned the craft of wood sculpting by watching his grandfather and uncles carve wood. His wooden sculptures are a striking expression of life in the arid backlands of Pernambuco. His signature pieces of slender dogs and human figurines stand out for their dramatic yet delicate, gaunt forms. “My pieces may be thin and stretched out, but they convey emotion. I am able to show the sadness, suffering or even resilience that can result from living in such an arid region,” says Marcos. Over the years, his workshop has become a centre for training young artisans. “Passing on my craft to people and teenagers who had no other skill is really rewarding for me. Now they are surviving through art, and I find that meaningful,” he says.
Marcos Costa
