São Paulo – Firstly they are just scraps, parts that cannot be used for windows and glass tables. They are then cut, painted, sanded, coloured. Later they go into a kiln and gain new life, as semi-jewels, as decorations. And they then go to their new owners, in Brazil and abroad. It is more or less this process for creation and development of the products made by artist Suzana Dourado, who has workshops in Goiânia, in the state of Goiás, and in the Federal District.
Dourado is an artist, graduated in Fine Arts by the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), and up to 12 years ago worked mainly in painting canvas and panels. From then on, however, she decided to invest in glass. She develops and produces necklaces, rings, kitchen utensils, and decoration like pots and vases. As raw material she uses glass. The input is sometimes bought, but Dourado mostly uses recycled glass, with the remains of building material or commerce in the region.
When she started working with glass, with the Fusing technique, the artist used costume jewellery to complete here items. She then started using silver and gold plated products, which don’t darken or cause allergies. Dourado made the decision because she realized that her consumers were demanding. Over the last six months, the artist has also started using recycled material, bottles, for production of her semi-jewels. The parts are colourful and creative, which she believes may have come from her painting.
Currently, production is around 40 to 50 items a month, which are sold in two shops, in Goiânia and in the Federal District, and also directly to consumers, who place orders at her workshop. Dourado usually participates in fairs in Brazil, normally due to invitations by the culture secretariats of Goiás and the Federal District. Exports are due to contacts made as a result of the artist’s participation in exhibitions at embassies. Suzana Dourado Art Glass workshop has already shipped to the United States, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Born in the city of São Paulo, the artist moved to Goiás in her early teens. She has already also lived in the states of Pará and Tocantins, as well as in the United States. Her first award for her art came 10 years ago, at the school in which she studied, Liceu Pasteur, in the city of São Paulo, for a painting of a Macaw. In her career, other awards came. She is currently the finalist of the Hotspot Movement, an award for innovation and creativity in several categories of art, among them design.
Contact
Suzana Dourado Art Glass
Site: http://www.suzanadourado.com
Telephone: +55 (62) 8201-4313
E-mail: suzana@suzanadourado.com
*Translated by Mark Ament
