Turning Wood into Works of Art

For Emiliano “Ivo” Mendes Semedo, every piece of wood has a story waiting to be told.

A familiar face within the HBD community since its early days, the craftsman transforms wood offcuts from HBD’s carpentry workshops into beautifully handcrafted objects. Rather than letting these certified timber remnants go to waste, Ivo carefully selects pieces destined for the school’s firewood pile and gives them a second life through his work.

His workshop is filled with birds, masks, toy vehicles, ashtrays and decorative objects, each one shaped slowly by hand. “I work with whatever the wood allows me to create,” he says, explaining that every offcut suggests a different possibility.

Working with reclaimed wood is not always easy. Without specialist machinery, some pieces can take an entire day to complete. But for Ivo, craftsmanship has never been about speed. “This kind of work requires patience,” he says. “If you’re in a hurry, you won’t create something beautiful.”

After a period of ill health that forced him to step away from his workshop, Ivo is delighted to be carving once again. Every purchase of one of his creations helps him continue doing what he loves while supporting his livelihood. “Many visitors have bought my work over the years,” he says with gratitude. “I hope they continue to do so.”

Visiting the Terra Prometida community, Ivo’s handcrafted creations can be found in his kiosk and soon will be available at Casa Verde. Each is a one-of-a-kind expression of Príncipe’s creativity and respect for nature. By transforming wood offcuts into lasting keepsakes, his work demonstrates how craftsmanship can preserve both traditional skills and valuable resources, allowing guests to take home a meaningful piece of the island.