Efigênia Ramos Rolim, Brazilian Artist Who Turned Candy Wrappers into Museum Art, Dies at 94
Efigênia Ramos Rolim, a celebrated Brazilian multi-artist known as the 'Queen of Candy Paper,' has died at the age of 94 in Curitiba. Born in Abre Campo, Minas Gerais, in 1931, Rolim spent much of her life on a farm where her early artistic inclinations were dismissed by her family. Her creative renaissance began at age 60 when she discovered a candy wrapper on the street in Curitiba, sparking a unique artistic journey. Self-taught and illiterate until age 58, she transformed discarded materials into sculptures, clothing, and sound objects. Her work gained significant recognition, featuring in major institutions like the Oscar Niemeyer Museum and Parque Lage. Rolim was a vibrant figure in Curitiba’s cultural scene, particularly at the Feira do Largo da Ordem, where she captivated audiences with her art and poetry for two decades. In 2008, she received the Order of Cultural Merit from the Ministry of Culture, and in 2015, she was named an honorary citizen of Curitiba. She passed away on March 28, 2026, due to complications from pulmonary emphysema, leaving behind a legacy of nine children and numerous descendants, along with widespread admiration for her courage and creativity.
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Efigênia Ramos Rolim, Brazilian Artist Who Turned Candy Wrappers into Museum Art, Dies at 94
Efigênia Ramos Rolim, a celebrated Brazilian multi-artist known as the 'Queen of Candy Paper,' has died at the age of 94 in Curitiba. Born in Abre Campo, Minas Gerais, in 1931, Rolim spent much of her life on a farm where her early artistic inclinations were dismissed by her family. Her creative renaissance began at age 60 when she discovered a candy wrapper on the street in Curitiba, sparking a unique artistic journey. Self-taught and illiterate until age 58, she transformed discarded materials into sculptures, clothing, and sound objects. Her work gained significant recognition, featuring in major institutions like the Oscar Niemeyer Museum and Parque Lage. Rolim was a vibrant figure in Curitiba’s cultural scene, particularly at the Feira do Largo da Ordem, where she captivated audiences with her art and poetry for two decades. In 2008, she received the Order of Cultural Merit from the Ministry of Culture, and in 2015, she was named an honorary citizen of Curitiba. She passed away on March 28, 2026, due to complications from pulmonary emphysema, leaving behind a legacy of nine children and numerous descendants, along with widespread admiration for her courage and creativity.
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