Master of woodcutting and illustrator, Ciro Fernandes, 83, from Paraíba, has been the subject of a documentary produced by Cláudia Rangel, a student at the Institute of Arts (IA) at Unicamp, under the guidance of Professor Alfredo Suppia, from PPG Multimeios. Known for his ability to transform wood into poetry, capturing the essence of the Northeastern backlands in its colors and shapes, the artist has built a career spanning more than half a century.
For the filming, Rangel had the help of Bruno Fernandes, cultural producer and son of the artist. The meetings took place in Rio de Janeiro, where Ciro Fernandes lives and maintains a studio frequently visited by admirers.
The 27-minute documentary presents stories that inspired the artist, as well as the techniques used in his work. The master of woodcutting combines several resources to create unique works of art. “Ciro is very shy, but since I kept the camera recording, he relaxed. And, during these meetings, he remembered stories that not even his family knew. It was very special to make this documentary with the master,” says Cláudia Rangel.
During filming, Ciro Fernandes revealed some of the memories that shaped his career. With over 50 years of experience, the woodcut artist continues to celebrate his connection with the cordel tradition, inspired by his mother, who recited popular poetry to children. “She was the only one who knew how to read. So people liked to listen.”
Currently, Ciro Fernandes maintains an active presence on social media, gathering admirers of all ages. The woodcut artist has won several awards throughout his career, including having one of his works portrayed on the cover of the DVD celebrating Zé Ramalho's 20-year career.
He also keeps a special dedication he received from Carlos Drummond de Andrade, making clear the impact his art has had. The documentary not only explores the life and work of Ciro Fernandes, but also highlights the importance of woodcuts as a form of cultural expression.
To conclude the tributes, Rangel sculpted a woodcut with the image of Ciro Fernandes. In this gesture of affection, he offered the artist the sketch, a fragment of his admiration immortalized on paper. The documentary will be released on June 18th at MAM, Rio de Janeiro.
Check out the details in the full report and discover how the artist continues to carve poetry in wood, immortalizing the beauty of the backlands and the tradition of cordel.
Watch the video produced by the Executive Secretariat for Communication:
