Filipino artist Danny Ponce with his spoon and fork sculptures. Photos by Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Metal sculptures are not new in Qatar, but how a Doha-based Filipino artist uses cutlery to create his artworks distinguishes him from other sculptors.
The Peninsula visited the residence of artist Danny Ponce in Al Sadd to check out his finished and ongoing projects. And seeing him create art pieces without using any machinery is quite impressive.
“As far as I know, I’m the only one doing this type of artwork in Qatar. In some countries, I know there are spoon and fork artists, but I guess what sets me apart is the fact that I don’t use a welding machine, soldering gun, glue or strings to connect one spoon or fork with the other. I just bend and shape them using basic tools like pliers and wrenches.”
The 47-year-old artist said that he began creating simple metal artworks from scrap materials back in his home country, The Philippines, in 1999. When he arrived in Qatar in 2006, he continued exploring the art of metal sculpture using scraps, until an animated film gave him the idea to use stainless spoons and forks to pursue his craft.
“I got the inspiration after I saw my daughter watching the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ movie with the dancing spoons and forks scene. Within three days I finished my first spoon and fork sculpture – a 12-inch robot,” Ponce told The Peninsula.
Danny Ponce's robot sculpture.
So far, Ponce has finished 16 sculptures with themes including robots, motorbikes, guns, a centaur, a tennis player, a quad bike, and recently, a horse bust statue.
“After I sold a Harley Davidson-inspired motorbike to a prominent Qatari, I became more inspired to create different subjects of various sizes.”
Depending on the complexity of his artwork, it takes more than a year to finish a large sculpture that comprises about 3,000 spoons and forks.
Danny Ponce with his quad bike sculpture.
“It took me a year and a half to finish the quad bike. It is currently on display at Workinton M7 in Msheireb. With the Quad bike, I used 2,807 forks and 98 spoons. The 28-inch Transformers-inspired robot is not that big but it was complicated to build. With that one, I used 494 forks and 144 spoons.”
According to Ponce, the only challenge he faces in creating his art is the availability of the spoon and fork that he prefers to use. “I am finishing a huge motorbike, but the type of spoons and forks I’m using is currently out of stock. I have already used around 1,300 forks and 550 spoons. To finish it, I guess I will still need at least 1,000 forks and 700 spoons.”
An ongoing project of a huge motorbike sculpture.
“I am also working on an Oryx, and another prominent animal in Qatar, Dugong, is next on my list. So, I hope the spoons and forks I prefer to use will be available soon.”
Ponce said he puts a lot of effort into creating his artwork, thus he appreciates when he gets invited to participate in art exhibitions and events. “I am really grateful that some art institutions and art groups here in Qatar are noticing my art. Some of my artworks were displayed at Katara, and last year I was invited to the International Arabian Horse Festival. It’s where I started working on my horse artwork. It was a great experience.”
Danny Ponce at the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival 2022.
When asked about the best advice he could give to aspiring artists, he said: “There’s an artist in all of us. Try to discover, and when you find it, enhance your skill. Don’t be afraid to fail. Practice and practice more and continue what you’re doing.”
Ponce said he wants to bend more spoons and forks for more intricate sculptures, to pursue his passion and for a living.
Danny Ponce's Harley Davidson-inspired motorbike.
