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José Adário
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Born 1947 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Lives and works in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
José Adário dos Santos is one of the few producers of the liturgical tools of Candomblé and Umbanda. For over 60 years, Zé Diabo, as he is known, has worked with devotion for entities. Following the tradition of Afro-Brazilian religions, the blacksmith produces the sacred objects in the order followed by the xirê, the set of songs that evoke each saint in the rituals. He started at the age of 11 in the learning of foundry in the workshop of master Maximiano Prates. His studio is located between the arches of the same slope today, from where his production is a reference for terreiros, filho de santo, afoxés, and sympathisers of Candomblé throughout the country.  In his workshop, he creates on order sacred objects for rituals of Exu, Ogun, Oxóssi, Oxumarê, Ossanha, and Obaluaê.. In addition to the terreiros, his impressive iron sculptures gained space in museums, collections, and galleries, evidencing not only his unique talent, but the importance of African roots in the constitution of Brazilian identity and culture.
José Adário, Untitled, Undated, Iron, 67 x 70 x 12.5 cm. Courtesy of HOA Galeria.

Artists 2022