Miguel Inumerable
(Manila, Philippines)
When were you at Metàfora and for how long?
January to December 2013
What did you enjoy most about the course?
The thing I enjoyed most about my time at Metàfora was the community and dialogue between different people from different cultures doing different things. It was a very supportive community, both the tutors and the students, seeking to understand each other and each other’s work.
The community both allowed me to explore and experiment but also at the same time push and challenge me to think about what I was doing. I can definitely say that my time in Metàfora was key to where I am now in my art practice.
What were you looking for in a studio arts program at that time?
At that time I was coming off an IT job and wanted to pursue a creative interest. I was looking for a program that would allow me both to learn and explore different creative mediums.
What have you been up to since then?
After Metàfora, I went back to the Philippines and went back to my office job but also became part of the local art community. I did a couple of shows here, became part of a local art collective, and did a few Art Residencies abroad (Beijing and Madrid). I eventually resigned from my IT office job and I am now a Computer Programming teacher and IT Coordinator for a school here in Manila.
How do you describe your art practice at the moment?
I mainly work now with drawings and creative coding (making art through computer code). I may not be pursuing an art career professionally right now, and I’m not quite sure if I do want to pursue it professionally again in the future, but I continue my art practice.
I still draw, post work online, experiment with the possibilities of art and tech during my free time. I’m back to enjoying the process of making art, without the pressures of being an art “professional”. I believe I still maintain an art practice now, but on my own terms and comfort level.
Miguel’s advice to future students:
Enjoy your time, don’t be afraid to experiment with the work that you do.
Experiments can succeed or fail but I think they’re key factors in growth and maturity.
Engage in conversation: Talk about your work, speak about other people’s work, listen to what other people have to say for it is in these moments where you gain clarity about what’s important to you and what you’re trying to achieve.
