Zezinha

Maria José Gomes da Silva, known as Zezinha, was born on 14 June 1968 in Campo Alegre, municipality of Turmalina, Minas Gerais State. Today, she lives in the neighbouring community of Campo Buriti in Minas Novas, with her two daughters and husband, Ulisses Gomes dos Santos, who is also an artisan. She learned to work with clay with her mother when she was 15 years old or so, but previously she was already helping to carry the utility goods to the town in the early hours of market days. Her figures have delicate features and are technically perfect. The artist spends part of her time decorating her house and surroundings where the figures can be seen among the flowers, at the end of branches, on the fence and even on the roof, attracting the attention of passers-by. Zezinha is a member of the local ceramists’ association since its beginnings.