J Borges

José Francisco Borges (Jota Borges) was born in Bezerros, in 1935.
He only attended primary school and, in 1956, he began selling pamphlets (by other authors) in the fairs and markets of the interior of Pernambuco. He liked that kind of literature and began to imitate the poets, and his first pamphlet told of two cowboys' dispute over a damsel. Later, he would also write woodcuts to illustrate the covers of the pamphlets. Considered one of the best popular engravers of the Brazilian Northeast, he has exhibited his work in countries such as the USA, Switzerland, Germany, Venezuela and Mexico. In 1970, he wrote the text "A Feira" for a show and an album of the Quinteto Violado.
In 1994, he taught printmaking, as a guest, at the University of New Mexico. He is the author of dozens of woodcuts that illustrate the book "The Walking Words", by the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano, published in 1994.
He was also a farmer, carpenter, bricklayer and wall painter. In 1975, he produced woodcuts for the opening of the soap opera "Roque Santeiro", by Dias Gomes, which TV Globo did not show because it was censored. He also produces a great number of cordel publications.
Today Jota Borges is known throughout the world. He is, without a doubt, the most important Brazilian woodcut writer of all times.

Por: Galeria Brasiliana