Clay Hands, Figurines from Life by Manuel Macedo

Manuel Macedo was born in 1950 in the sub-region of Cávado, in the parish of Galegos (Santa Maria), Barcelos, a land marked by renowned traditions and culture that give life to Portuguese craftsmanship. As one of the youngest members of a large family involved in pottery, he played and grew up with this reality from an early age, continuing the art of his family and region. His professional career has never strayed far from the clay. One thing is certain: the figurative language chosen by the artist to express his ideas uses a characteristic meaning recognized by all. The “colors” and the “look” of his figurines are the image of this artist.

Manuel Macedo's artwork also reflects his ability to recreate the artistic heritage of Minho. The songs, dances, and costumes of the region come to life in the hands and characters created by the author. The visitor's perspective and his characters' perspectives intersect in this journey through the artist's professional career, in which we recognize a common thread of continuity. The precision of his modelling and the sublimity of his painting distinguish his works, which are a form of renewal in figurative art, despite respecting traditional themes such as religion, popular saints, the rural world, everyday life, professions, among others.

An autodidactic creator and a unique figure among his peers, Manuel Macedo is a major symbol of the figurative art of Barcelos crafts.