Those who have an eye for the rare and the beautiful may already have spotted the works of Bacolod-born artist Nonet Pillora, such as the distinctive carved wooden furniture and totems which can be seen on display at Bom Bom Bar and Red Pirates Pub, or as showcased at the sellout Woodwork and Heartbeat exhibition held at Aria Restaurant and Cafe Del Sol last April, but there is far more to this story than meets the eye.
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I first met Nonet in Boracay, where he had been residing for around twelve years. As a musician and artist, he enjoyed experimenting with a diverse range of media, and aside from painting, his talents expanded to include papermaking and hand crafted lamps.
As is often the case however, creative minds are apt to wander, and Nonet was eventually drawn to more peaceful surroundings - namely the sleepy little barangay of Cubay Sur on mainland Panay Island, which has now been his home for three years.
Relaxing with a cold drink at Nonet's quiet residence, it is easy to see why he chose this location to indulge his artistic temperament. His home and workshop are set in a tranquil area of lush greenery and natural beauty, surrounded by swaying palm trees and stands of bamboo, just meters from a gently flowing river. He explains, "This area is much more conducive to my work, and I have access to all the raw materials that I need".
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Even after Typhoon Seniang swept through the province of Aklan (in December of last year) causing widespread devastation and flooding in the region, this resourceful artist was able to utilise the resulting debris to create beautiful and unusual works of art.
Each individual piece is painstakingly crafted from it's original state as raw driftwood - a concept which began almost by accident when Nonet was given a chainsaw by a friend and began experimenting. The rough design is first rendered with the saw - free hand - following the natural shape and form of the wood, and the work is then carefully refined by a lengthy process of chiseling and sanding. Finally, wax is applied to bring out the colour and lustre of the timber.
For the chairs and tables, legs are created using ornate ironwork which accentuates the beauty of the finished article.
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This stunning furniture has caught the eye of many a discerning collector, and Nonet's lovingly crafted one-of-a-kind creations look equally at home gracing a modern city residence as they do in their natural setting.
Those interesting in visiting the workshop or placing an order can contact Nonet Pillora on 0921 6891121 or 0919 6423559.
Published Philippinewide Magazine, Sept 2007
Additional Info:
For those interested in placing an order with Nonet, prices range from:
Benches - 3"x14"x5' - 3"x18"x8', with & without backrests P6000 - P16000 depending on size, design and type of wood used.
Totems - from 1ft high (table pieces) - P1200, to 9ft high pieces - P9000, + handling fee.
