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Helena Novelletto

Helena Novelletto learned the craft from master Manuel Ferreira, transforming bunho into unique pieces with stories of freedom.

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A JOURNEY TOWARD CREATIVE FREEDOM

The story3piecesSee the pieces

Helena’s journey with bulrush (bunho) began with master artisan Manuel Ferreira, from Santarém. Through his stories about the 1974 revolution and his teachings about the craft, she learned not only an art, but a path of creative freedom.

Helena transforms bunho, an aquatic plant that grows in marshes, ponds, and riverbanks, into beautiful, versatile, and timeless pieces. The harvesting is done once a year in July and August, then it is left to dry in the sun in its natural environment, and she weaves with all the strength and care the material demands. These creations, born from raw nature and her disciplined hands, are an expression of self-sufficiency and sustainable art.

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Born in Brazil and currently based in Caldas da Rainha, Helena Novelletto is one of the last active bunho weavers in Portugal. But, as she is young and at the beginning of a promising career, perhaps we can hope that her dedication will inspire other artists with sustainable convictions.

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The journey

Helena Novelletto

Apprenticeship and Artistic Roots

Helena’s journey with bulrush weaving began under the mentorship of Manuel Ferreira, a master artisan from Santarém. Through his stories of Portugal’s 1974 revolution and his lessons in craftsmanship, she learned not only an art form but a path towards creative freedom.

Craft and Process

Her work transforms bulrush, a water-loving plant that thrives in ponds, marshes and lakes, into beautiful, versatile, timeless pieces. It is harvested near her home in the summer months of July and August, sun-dried in its natural habitat, and woven with all the strength and care it demands. These creations, born from raw nature and her disciplined hands, embody self-sufficiency and sustainable artistry.

Background and Present Context

Born in Brazil and now based in Caldas da Rainha, Helena Novelletto is one of the last active bulrush weavers in the country.

Future Outlook and Inspiration

Yet, because she’s young and at the early stages of a promising career, perhaps we can hope that her dedication will motivate like-minded artists with sustainable convictions.

The technique

ABOUT REED

Reed is an aquatic plant that grows in marshes, ponds and riverbanks. Harvested by hand and dried in the sun, it is transformed into beautiful and versatile pieces through traditional weaving, maintaining a deep connection with nature.

Handmade by Helena Novelletto

The pieces

For Helena Novelletto, the young artisan behind this work, it has been a journey towards freedom. She began by learning the craft from Manuel Ferreira, a generous master from Santarém, who wove while recalling the 1974 revolution that ended 48 years of dictatorship in Portugal, telling stories that she, born in Brazil, had never heard. Free from industry, bulrush craft asks of Helena only pure nature and her disciplined hands. Self-sufficiency. We are certain she is one of the last active bulrush artisans, but we hope her dedication can motivate other artists with sustainable convictions.

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