Pontal da Renda Co-op
In the historic Pontal district, the women of this community embody the colorful, tactile tradition of weaving. Residing on a peninsula of the South Atlantic Ocean, easeful beach side living flows into the artistry and lifestyle of this region. Among the many handmade pieces, Fíle is a rich heritage women have mastered by carefully watching men weave fishing nets. Their ornate articulation and inspired craft creates avenues for income. Masters of thread and needle for generations, they beautifully create centerpieces and quilts with vibrant colors.
“In my family embroidery is passed down for generations, I learned it from my mother and grandmother and passed it on to all my children. It is a culture that is part of my life”, says artisan Dona Tânia. Like so many women born in this neighborhood, you learn from a young age the stories, the craft and the practices integral to the richness and spirit of your heritage. The community continues to honor and keep the traditions, narratives and processes alive by passing it down each generation.
The process is a gesture rooted in patience, even in the final pieces there is an utter and complete beauty in the dexterity of working with the materials in this way that makes one slow down. Handcrafted objects invoke such care that can be a novelty with modern living. The delicate woven patterns with bright colors evoke the beauty and emotion of the women. Each piece unique and ornate in detail is a beautiful and subtle approach to that precious aspect of the handmade: irreplaceable.
The Filé embroidery is inherently emotional, in each piece, threads are bound, woven, tied and cut in assemblage of renewing and retelling history. Today craftwork entices visitors and tourists with bright colors inspired by nature and impeccable skill that is a true construction of resilience. A technique that is now, years later, a testament to the historical importance and significance of artistry.
We are honored to be working with a co-op of 20 women to create beautifully handmade pieces to support the adversity that this region continues to endure amidst the pandemic. Led by Patricia and Dete, the co-op’s offerings hold a lasting tribute and story to both the land and the people.
Art shapes how we endure and forms the history of place. Filé is more than an object, as it testifies to the woven history of the beautiful small Brazilian coastal town of Pontal da Barra, it pieces together the way we remember, the way history and events inform how we act, feel and create.
