Maqueson Pereira da Silva

Marchetaria do Acre

Wood marquetry maker

A tribute to the Amazon through marquetry

Maqueson is a marquetry artist who showcases his deep connection to his roots through Amazonian art
His twin daughters inspired his shift from cubism to floral motifs
His school teaches eco-conscious marquetry using local resources

Maqueson Pereira da Silva grew up on a remote rubber plantation in Acre, surrounded by the rich textures and vibrant wildlife of the Amazon in his backyard. At the age of 18, he left for Santa Catarina to study philosophy and theology at a school run by German priests, where he discovered marquetry. This set him on a path through Germany, Italy and Switzerland, where he refined his technique before returning to Acre with a family of his own in 1994. Maqueson opened his workshop, where he still works with over 150 species of wood, carefully selecting each piece for its natural tone and grain. He avoids working with dyes, relying on the wood’s organic hues to craft detailed depictions of Amazonian plants, birds, and wildlife. Maqueson’s work is a heartfelt tribute to the natural wonders of the place he has always called home.

Interview

How has your artistic style developed over the years?: I focused on religious themes in the late 1970s until the early 1980s, when cubism influenced my work. In the late 1980s, the birth of my twin daughters inspired my shift towards floral motifs. After 1994, I began incorporating Amazonian flora and fauna in my pieces.
What led you to establish your marquetry school in 2001?: I wanted to teach young people marquetry techniques using local Amazonian materials and share what I had learned abroad. I wanted to create opportunities for young artisans and promote sustainable practices with reclaimed wood.
Why did you choose to return to Brazil after living abroad?: After working in the south and abroad, coming back home felt like a full circle moment. The decision to settle here with my family allowed me to combine my artistic practice with a deeper sense of belonging and stability.
How do you achieve vibrant colours in wood without using dyes?: I rely on the natural tones of wood, such as the vibrant colours of the rainbow eucalyptus after it sheds its bark. I also use wood from naturally fallen trees that remain submerged for long periods and have absorbed soil tones and minerals. These woods, recovered from river and stream beds, ferment and take on earthy hues which can sometimes be reddish, lead-grey, or even different shades of blue or green.

Maqueson Pereira da Silva is a master artisan: he began his career in 1985 and he started teaching in 2001