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Juh Vieira and Fernando Magriffi

"My name is Júh Vieira, and I grew-up in a harmonious environment filled with music and dance. My mother used to knit or crochet a variety of things, so I had all the necessary elements for a career in arts. My mother always encouraged me to craft things with my hands, and in that respect the first things I made were in cotton crochet, a technique I learned from her.

"By the time I was five years old I was already making crochet necklaces and bracelets. When I was 12 years old I would often help my mother, and I also learned different techniques from other artists.

"Fernando also grew-up in a healthy environment, in a time when there wasn't so much technology. He used to make his own toys – from kites to cars. His first contact with art came during the 1980s, when he lived in the outskirts of São Paulo while he worked for a big electro mechanic company. He realized he had a good ability for working with his hands as he twisted wire into all shapes with his tools. Everyone admired his creations as he discovered his natural talent, which he has perfected ever since.

"I never took specialized courses, I am a self-taught artist. I have a good capacity to create, to retain new information about art, and I also have good handcrafting skills, which helps me to create accessories. As I met other fine artists, I knew this was my path to follow. I have since realized that the beauty of art is captivating, whether it is in the form of a painting, sketch, graphic design or any other manifestation.

"When Fernando decided to work in handcrafts, his family thought he would not have a good future in this field. Nonetheless, he kept designing bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. He'd visit important fairs throughout the country, meeting up with other artisans to exchange ideas and learn new techniques. Though he considers himself to be self-taught, there are some people he regards as true teachers, for they offered their guidance.

"Fernando and I believe that art is a way to express emotion, criticism and opinion. And just like any form of expression, art is unique and therefore we make a point of perfecting our techniques, trends, and designs, as well as finding out about new prime materials.

"We share a concern for the preservation of nature, therefore we work with recyclable materials that allow a sustainable growth, such as seeds, coconut, bamboo and reforestation woods, as well as other materials that are not hazardous to the environment. Those who work with seeds as prime material will never allow the tilling of trees.

"To us art is a ramification of our being that allows us to express our feelings, and above all, allows us to make people more beautiful.

"We hope for a good relationship between our art, Novica, and the admirers of art around the world. We are happy to work with Novica, and we hope our work is approved by art-lovers around the world, beyond our borders."