Maria Luciene da Silva Siquiera

Maria Luciene da Silva Siqueira, known as Sil da Capela, was born in 1979, in Cajueiro, Alagoas, Brazil. Raised in the rural municipality of Capela, she worked in sugarcane fields from a young age, which limited her access to formal education. Her artistic journey began in 2001 when she participated in a ceramics workshop led by João das Alagoas, a renowned local ceramist. This encounter ignited her passion for clay, leading her to become one of Brazil's most prominent contemporary folk artists.

Sil's ceramic works are characterised by intricate, figurative scenes depicting rural life in northeastern Brazil. Her pieces often feature jaqueiras (jackfruit trees), a recurring motif symbolising her childhood experiences. She meticulously models each figure, capturing weddings, religious ceremonies, and daily activities, all set beneath the shade of the jaqueira.

Sil's work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions across Brazil and internationally. Notably, she participated in the Arte dos Mestres exhibition in São Paulo. Her pieces are also part of the collection of the Sebrae's Artesanato Brasil (CRAB).