In the heart of the pandemic's uncertainty, Carlos Manuel Gonçalves expanded his passion for ceramics. From a small village in Alentejo, Carlos's childhood echoed with the simplicity of an era untouched by the whirlwind of the internet. His imagination and creativity flourished, becoming his biggest tools to entertain himself.
Born of that bygone simplicity, Carlos's work encapsulates the essence of a traditional life, teeming with the vibrant popular culture of those times. His art breathes life into the animals that once roamed the countryside landscapes and the fantastical creatures that danced in his childhood daydreams. Today, all these creatures, shaped by nostalgia, embody the language and identity of his creations. Ceramics, the alchemy of earth and fire, became the perfect way through which Carlos resurrected his essence and his roots. In the kiln's intense heat, he discovered a fresh start.
Carlos Manuel Gonçalves, sculptor of dreams and curator of memories, continues to write his narrative into the portuguese contemporary art scene.
https://www.instagram.com/carlosmanuelgoncalves_/
Photos courtesy of André Rosa & Kenton Thatcher
