Serpa
Cláudio Henrique, from Pilar (AL), is the only one in the state to produce pieces on a miniature scale; award-winning work has been featured at Fenearte, in China and at national exhibitions
A native of Capela, a municipality in northern Alagoas known for its strong ceramic tradition and located about 60 kilometers from Maceió, Cláudio Henrique Freire da Silva has transformed a traditional technique into innovative art. Known as “Cláudio das Miniaturas” (Cláudio of the Miniatures), he is the only artisan in the state to produce clay sculptures on a miniature scale — some measuring just 2 centimeters. The pieces, made with naturally pigmented clay and gas-fired, depict everyday scenes, animals and regional characters with rich detail.
Capela has established itself over the decades as an Alagoas ceramic hub, housing numerous studios and artisans who work with clay. The city is recognized for its production of figurative sculptures that portray everyday life in northeastern Brazil, a tradition that has been strengthened by local masters and remains alive through new generations of artists.
Cláudio’s talent has earned national and international recognition. In 2023, he participated in the Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennial in China, representing Brazilian popular art in the “Diverse World” exhibition, which brought together artists from Latin America. That same year, in his first participation in the 18th Ana Holanda Popular Art Salon, he won the top prize. The registration was made possible by artisan Socorro Rodrigues, from Alto do Moura, in Pernambuco.
In 2024, he participated in the exhibition “Feira que é a Arte dos Mestres” (Fair that is the Art of Masters), at the invitation of Arte Sol gallery, where he sold his entire collection of farm scenes. The following year, in 2025, he exhibited his creations at Fenearte (National Handicraft Business Fair), held annually at the Pernambuco Convention Center in Olinda. Considered the largest handicraft fair in Latin America, Fenearte brings together thousands of artisans from all over Brazil and attracts national and international buyers, in addition to promoting debates about the sector and valuing Brazilian popular culture.
His journey began at age 13, when he learned to prepare clay for his uncle João das Alagoas, a pioneer of figurative clay work in Capela. Initially, Cláudio produced pieces measuring 20 to 30 centimeters. In 2011, inspired by the work of artist Arlindo Monteiro — who creates miniatures with matchsticks — he decided to innovate. “I asked God for work that was different from what others were doing in the studio,” he says. The first 2-centimeter miniature sold quickly, and the demand for personalized gifts propelled the new format.
Now a resident of Pilar, a city near Maceió, Cláudio lives exclusively from his art. “It is a gift that God has lent me,” he says. His dedication and originality have secured him a unique space in the Alagoas cultural market and international recognition.
Cláudio das Miniaturas
