This artist from Mabalacat City, Pampanga found comfort in creating miniature art of makeshift Philippine houses.
Artist Nhoda Muñoz used to work as a tattoo artist. But when the COVID-19 pandemic happened, he was one of the thousands of individuals who lost their jobs during the health crisis.
“December 2020 nung inumpisahan ko ‘yung una kong artwork na tinatawag kong ‘Bahay Juan,’ bahay ng mga matitibay na Pilipino. Sino nagturo sa’kin o sino nag build up sa’kin? Siguro ‘yung naging sakit ko kasi tinamaan ako ng matinding depression, anxiety during the lockdown nito ngang pandemic,” Nhoda told The Philippine STAR.
“As a tattoo artist nawalan ako ng kita ng mga panahon na ‘yun so talagang tinamaan ako ng matinding depression. Nandun na pumasok ‘yung paano na? Paano ‘yung ganito, paano ‘yung kinabukasan, paano ‘yung bukas?” he added.
Nhoda said that he initially wanted to try painting but was forced to think of another form of art due to lack of materials.
“Gusto kong ipinta ‘yung nararamdaman ko sa canvas, i-paint ko ‘yung ano ‘yung feelings ko nung mga panahon na ‘yun pero wala akong choice. Kasi wala akong mabibiling art materials lalong lalo na wala akong pera nung panahon na ‘yun, talagang gipit na gipit talaga,” he recalled.
That’s when he thought of creating miniature houses made of recyclable materials.
“’Yung ginamit ko sa “Bahay ni Juan” is made by 100% recycled materials talaga. Bigla na lang talaga siyang pumasok sa isip ko na gusto ko bumuo ng ganitong klaseng artwork. Gusto ko ‘yung konsepto ng bubuuin ko ‘yung nahahawig sa bahay namin noon o ‘yung mga bahay na nakikita ko nung bata ako,” he shared.
Nhoda did not come from a wealthy family. He grew up living in a small house near the train tracks.
“’Yung mga tinatawag natin na informal settlers, ‘yung mga barong barong, ‘yung squatter, yes ako po ‘yan. Kaya nga ganito ‘yung mga konsepto ng dioramang nilalabas ko, sini-symbolize lang po n’yan ang pagkatao ko,” he said.
Before he found his passion in creating dioramas, Nhoda worked as a tattoo artist since 2014. He was forced to look for other jobs after lockdowns were implemented due to the pandemic.
“Ginawa ko ‘tong brain therapy eh, para labanan ‘yung depression ko. Hindi ko lang akalain na possible pala na magiging source of income ko ‘to,” he stressed.
As of this writing, Nhoda was able to create around 20 dioramas that have already reached the international scene.
“Mga US Citizen na mga Pilipino na na-appreciate nila ‘yung mga ganitong artwork Mostly sa mga client ko, pinagdaanan din nila ‘yung mga ganitong klaseng buhay or pamumuhay ng mga panahon na ‘yun,” he said.
“Gumawa tayo ng sining, magpinta tayo, ibigay natin ‘yung nasa isip natin, nasa puso natin sa mga artwork. And someday mapapakilala natin ‘yung pangalan natin, ‘yung mga artwork natin na walang nilalabas na boses gamit ‘yung mga creations na binubuo natin. Tuloy lang natin,” Nhoda said when asked about his message to Pinoy artists.
