Skip to main content

Igorot artist uses solar power to draw


Almost exactly three years ago, my wife and I first laid eyes on Jordan Mang-osan's unique pieces of art. We were in Baguio at that time and we decided to drop by at Tam-awan Village to see his exhibit. We were captivated by the Filipino artist's pyrography and solar drawings, and marveled at his skill with the hand lens. 

While most artists use canvas, paint, pencil, oil, charcoal or ink to create art, Jordan harnesses the power of the sun to produce portraits that depict the rich cultural traditions and landscape of the Cordilleras, where he is from. To create a piece, he starts off by sketching a design on the surface of a wooden board. He then uses a simple magnifying glass to concentrate solar heat on selected areas of the wood. Check out the video below to see exactly how it's done:


Jordan started drawing as a hobby in grade school. Before he turned 19, the Igorot artist earned a living as a construction worker. He was lost and confused as to what he really wanted to be, until someone saw his potential.

If you happen to be in Baguio and you find yourself in need of an art fix, head straight for Tam-awan Village, where Jordan's creations are on display. Just recently, the artist taught young South Korean students to draw using the power of the sun during his workshop on solar drawing at the village.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Why Walking is Basically Magic

I like walking. It's really convenient and no fancy equipment is required. You can do it anywhere, anytime. It's also good for my heart and can somehow untangle the chaotic mess that is my brain. It's meditative, allowing my thoughts to flow freely and my anxieties to melt away. Whether it's a short stroll through your neighborhood or a long vigorous hike in the countryside, this TED-Ed video explains why walking is lauded as a cure for everything from boredom to slightly-too-tight jeans.

Acorn-shaped meditation pod

Created by LFZ Studio , this giant acorn in France is a cool space to escape the digital deluge. For some, the wooden pod is a temporary escape from reality. For others, it’s a nice place to take a nap. And for a select few, it’s a nerve-wracking dive into claustrophobia. The pod blends perfectly with the forest and the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds create a natural soundtrack for meditation. In this sanctuary, time seems to slow down, allowing for a deeper connection with oneself and nature. |h/t: Design Boom |

Biking to School with Kids

I love biking to school with my children. It's a great way to start the day, and it's a lot of fun. Both of them have their own bicycles, meaning I'm basically herding two slightly erratic cyclists. My kids' two-wheelers are quite new and pretty decent. Mine is more like a rusty ten-speeder with a penchant for chain slippage. It's a cheap, rickety bike from China but it's my vehicle of choice for running errands, and honestly, it gets the job done. My youngest is still working on his steering. My eldest, on the other hand, is all about speed. She thinks she's in the Tour de France, so I'm constantly shouting, "Slow down!" Of course there are moments of near disaster. But you know what? Despite the mayhem, there's something undeniably satisfying about arriving at our destination, slightly out of breath, on our bikes. There are also moments of pure, unadulterated joy – like when we are pedaling along the street, the sun on our faces, the wind...