It took ‘dancing spoons and forks’ from an animated musical film for a Filipino expat Danny Ponce, known to his friends as the 'Kubyertos King', to discover his hidden talent in creating metal sculptures using cutleries. A resident of Doha for 15 years, Danny left his native in 2006 to work in Qatar.
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team caught up with him to ask a few questions about his art and his dreams. The low-keyed artist smiled as he recalled how his metal arts journey started in his tiny living room on Al Nasr Street one winter night in 2010. Let's get to know him better.
Danny: In the Philippines, we say kubyertos instead of spoon and fork. Filipino kubyertos is cutlery when translated into English. A friend who works in the media back home gave me that title. Some people also call me ‘The Spoon and Fork Man’!
Danny: No, I don't. I took an Electronics Engineering course in the Philippines but I was hired as a Sales Consultant for a furniture company here in Qatar. Although while growing up, I developed an interest in creating something out of wood and steel scraps scattered in our neighborhood.
Danny: My elder daughter was watching Beauty and the Beast when my attention was caught by the dancing spoon and fork characters. That scene from the movie gave me an idea to create something out of cutleries. I took all the spoons and forks from our kitchen and bought a few more from a nearby supermarket, and within three days I finished my first artwork - a 12-inch robot.
Danny: Because I didn’t use any welding tool or adhesive, I must admit I felt really proud of myself that time. Just by bending the spoon and fork using pliers and screwdrivers, I can’t believe that I was holding in my hands the fruit of my skills and imagination. I was surprised and was very happy with the outcome!
Danny: To date, I’ve finished 14 artworks - motorbikes, guns, robots, a centaur, a tennis player, a quad bike, etc. Some of my artworks are customized as per the client's request.
Danny: My quad bike and robot artworks were actually put on display at the KatArt Preview Exhibition at Katara last year. It was a 6-day exhibition where more than 100 local and international artists were invited to participate. It was a great experience!
Danny: I would say the quad bike. It took me a year and a half to finish it using 2,807 forks and 98 spoons. My Transformers-inspired robot was also complicated to build. I used 494 forks and 144 spoons to create it.
Danny: I’m a very visual and imaginative person. I want to create and innovate. The level of enjoyment and satisfaction whenever I finish an artwork is simply beyond compare. Also, it’s such a rewarding feeling and very gratifying when people appreciate your art and pay good money for your talent and hard work.
Danny: Sometimes it’s hard to let go of my artworks, but yes, they’re for sale. Out of 14 artworks, I have already sold 11. My first Harley-Davidson motorbike creation was bought by a prominent person here in Qatar. The quad bike, the centaur, and the Transformers-inspired robot are still waiting for their owners though.
Danny: I’m currently using my free time to finish my two metal artworks - a big chopper bike and a half-scale car. Recently, an Interior Design company hired me as their in-house artist. I’m now trying my hands on wood and bamboo artworks and I’m getting really great feedback. This hobby is more like turning a dream into reality and I’m more eager now to advance my craft.
Danny: It is never too late to discover and enhance your talent. It is never too late to pursue your passion. Remember that when the mind accepts that something can be done, then the mind sets it in motion and turns it into reality. Believe in yourself!
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Cover image credit: ILQ staff
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