Last Updated on March 3, 2024
Visual arts, in all their different forms, have always captivated the hearts and minds of people. Frescoes on walls, oil and acrylic masterpieces on canvas, and sculptures made from the most unlikely materials all help fill in an internal craving for something aesthetic and beautiful. The search for new forms of art, both by artists and their admirers alike, is a never-ending process which turns up gems in every part of the world.
Pyrography
There are a lot of different media available to artists today. Pyrography is an art form that creates images using heat. It is typically used on light-colored wood and applied using a hot poker, hence its older name pokerwork. Jordan Mang-osan distinguishes himself by using a magnifying glass to burn imagery onto wood. His mastery of the controlled application of heat and fire creates wonderfully detailed images. Jordan hails from the Mountain Province of the Philippines and, as such, has a different view on everyday life. His final products are unique pieces with very distinct indigenous feels to them. It shows a world at peace and in harmony with nature. The depicted scenes are exotic to urban eyes which have grown accustomed to Western industrialization.
About the Artist
Jordan uses a large-curved glass fastened to bamboo as his paintbrush. This magnifying glass is deftly used to create landscapes, indigenous rituals, and other drawings. In his creative process, he draws inspiration from the rich heritage of the Igorot people, of which he is a member of. There is depth and proportion in his impressionist pieces. The nature of his medium allows Jordan to use a sort of pointillism to render figures and landscapes. He is also able to make detailed portraits this way. He can fill up entire wooden boards with dazzling native patterns.
About Mountain Province
The subjects of Jordan’s artworks are clear reflections of his home. As the name implies, Mountain Province is an agricultural region in the Philippines consisted almost exclusively of endless mountains, hills, and valleys. This region is known for its rice terraces as well. These terraces are landings carved into the mountainside and, in here, rice and other vegetables are planted. Filipinos fondly call this The Eighth Wonder of the World. The irrigation system is an ancient natural network that funnels water down from the rainforests above. It is said that if all the steps were laid out in a line that it would cover half of the world.