Isabel Catarrilhas Pires

Isabel Pires

the artist who shapes life into clay in Estremoz

It Starts with Clay

Isabel attributes her communicative personality to her Spanish maternal ancestry. Born with the soul of an artist in Vila Boim (Elvas), Isabel Pires always knew her destiny was to create. After finishing secondary school, she planned to attend the António Arroio School of Art, but fate intervened, leading her in another direction. She got married and, to accompany her husband, moved to Estremoz, where she decided to dedicate herself entirely to what she loved. Through museum visits and self-taught learning, Isabel Pires delved into the world of clay figurines, beginning her artistic journey with a wood-fired kiln she built herself. Soon after, Isabel Pires purchased a muffle kiln and began selling her bonecos de Estremoz throughout the country, enchanting various collectors. For the artisan, each piece she produces is unique, a reflection of her passion and innate talent for creation. She prides herself on not using moulds and has never replicated a piece exactly. Her work is distinguished by its refined technique and the unique essence that each figurine conveys—a quality highly valued by collectors.

Assembling the Figurine

Isabel Pires describes her creative process as an intense journey, from sculpting the faces to the final painting of the pieces. She avoids quantifying her daily working hours precisely because her routine is irregular. A zealous protector of her creations, she masters all stages of the process and enjoys creating each detail in phases, according to her mood and daily inspiration. Each element is meticulously stored in its own little box, awaiting the perfect moment to be used. The artisan also emphasises that no one else participates in the production of her figurines and reiterates: “The pieces are mine; I make them for myself.” This explains the quality mark and uniqueness of her works. Another distinctive feature of the artisan’s work is creativity. Isabel excels in creating pieces that differ from the more well-known ones, such as “Autumn,” which contrasts with the traditional piece “Spring,” the “Shepherds with Cloaks,” and the “Harvesters.” For her, there are no limits to the ability to innovate, using unprecedented colours and creating stories behind each piece.

Selling and Eternalising

Owning a piece crafted by Isabel Pires is a privilege. Over time, the value attributed to her work has increased, and the pricing of each piece, based on the effort and dedication involved, has had to balance maintaining affordable prices with recognising her artistic stature. However, the artisan does not make fortunes from her work. She believes that true wealth comes from the pleasure of creating and the appreciation of her clients. Although widely recognised, Isabel Pires prefers to remain discreet on the internet to protect her ideas. She relies on loyal clients cultivated over the years who genuinely appreciate her work. Isabel values social media to promote her art but highlights that nothing surpasses the direct and personal relationship with her pieces' buyers. At the end of our conversation, Isabel Pires revealed to us how she shapes the hands of her figurines with exquisite precision and meticulousness. The tiny pieces of art accurately reflect the vast legacy of the artist: rigorous, full of details and subtleties. With her delicate creations, Isabel perpetuates a centuries-old tradition, revitalising the art of clay figurines with colours, shapes, and narratives that capture the essence of the past and the spirit of modernity. The artisan’s true legacy goes beyond tangible creations; it resides in the inspiration she leaves for generations and the fervent passion she infuses into every work.