Mano Alencar was born in 1959 in Juazeiro do Norte, in Brazil’s northeast. From a young age, he was fascinated by drawing and painting. A self-taught artist, he began his creative journey in the town of Sobral before moving to Fortaleza in 1974, where he worked as a graphic designer and became involved in the local cultural scene, including the influential Massa Feira Livre movement at the José de Alencar Theatre.

His work spans painting, drawing, and collage, often focusing on human figures, folk saints, street festivals, and dreamlike landscapes that blend memory and imagination. With an average of one solo exhibition per year, Mano has shown his art in official salons and group shows, and held solo exhibitions across Brazil as well as in Italy, France, the United States, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, and Cuba.

Beyond visual arts, Mano also explores poetry and music. He has published four books — Mistura, Letras e Palavras (1985), Pensando pela Boca (1992), Arremesso (1997), and Alucinação Urbana (2000). In 1996, he released a music album called Parceiros e Amigos, reissued in 2009, featuring his own compositions and performances by up-and-coming musicians from Ceará. His multifaceted creativity bridges popular traditions with contemporary expression, making his work deeply rooted, vibrant, and relevant