Artist’s Spotlight

Ram Mallari

Metal Sculptor

Ram Mallari’s personal life is just as intriguing as his creative output. Growing up in a poor neighborhood of Quezon City, he was introduced to metalworking at an early age because several members of his family were professional blacksmiths. Thanks to a scholarship, he completed his secondary education; he then majored in architecture at university before dropping out to work. At the beginning of his career, he worked for a construction company. Later, he would become a graphic designer and, finally, a draftsman in the Middle East. Later in life, at the age of 45, he would find his true calling.

The year 2011 marked the beginning of his exploration of iron, metal, and recycled metals. He has participated in numerous group shows and has had six solo shows. Mallari’s works have been shown in the House of Representatives and other galleries, and he was recently commissioned by the Ayala Museum to create a public installation in Nuvali, Laguna, in collaboration with sculptors Ed Castrillo and Michael Cacnio.

Mallari rose to prominence in 2011 with the help of his retrofuturistic works that incorporated intricate metalwork techniques. Because of these pieces, he became known as a leading figure in “reclaimed sculpture.” In a short period of time, Mallari has maintained a successful career and gained widespread recognition around the world. Recently, he was invited to speak and lecture at the Science Museum Singapore’s art workshop.His art examines the conflicts between the present and the future and the empowering and isolating effects of technology. Used metal from old appliances is transformed into a futuristic fantasy. As such, it can be seen as an artistic manifesto on issues of technology and environmental sustainability. Mallari’s utopian vision sets a standard for how we can improve our lives through technological and ecological means.