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Joao Carlos Silva

"In 1975, fate dealt me a lucky hand and I became an artisan. I had just left my post in the petrol industry when my neighbor invited me to help him craft leather bags. At the beginning I only sold the pieces, and eventually I started helping him more and more crafting the bags.

"This craft soon improved my quality of life, although it does require total dedication. I didn't have the opportunity to study and acquire a professional formation, and my aunt and uncle brought me up in a rural area in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Thinking back to my childhood days, I realized that crafting leather goods has always been present in my life. My uncles produced all sorts of leather baskets for their own use, as well as musical instruments including drums, which they sold at local fairs. I was only a child, but I was always curious and observed them at work, and I tried to help in any way possible. Then, as if dictated by destiny, I found myself obtaining the necessary permits to sell my own leather bags!

"I feel so happy and proud to see my work is now exhibited to the whole world through Novica – it's like crowning my artistic trajectory."