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Mel Araneta’s Nature-Based Recycled Art
Translation and Interview by Marifel T. Moyano
Haring Ibon Issue 37 | January-March 2009

Mel Araneta, a native of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, 35 years old, is a visual artist, performer, craftsman, and a sculptor. He is a self-taught artist that recycles trash and any found objects as a medium.

What themes about the environment have you focused on in your art?
I’m a mountaineer. I have seen the damage and degradation man has made in our environment.

By using recycled materials, that others consider junk, I am able to showcase nature’s life and different life forms. It is only necessary that I share what I have seen, experienced and hopefully encourage others to take a second look at nature: how we should take care of it and work towards protecting what remains.

Who/what are your influences/ inspirations from nature?
My father is a major influence in my art. He has taught me how to appreciate and give value to the richness of what the Philippines has with regards to its wildlife, landscapes, and seascapes. Sadly these are all continuously being threatened and lost. During my childhood, my father takes us to the sea, and we go fishing. I remember in my high school days, biology was my favorite subject. My experiences with my father and those images from school have injected in my mind that someday I can create sculptures out of waste that are inspired by nature.

Can you tell us more about your sculptures and paintings?
Some of my sculptures are marine life-inspired, some of them are literal representations of sea animals like the lion fish and scorpion, while some paintings are more abstract and reflection pieces.

How can artists aid in communicating messages about the state of our degraded environment (forests, marine, etc.)?
I think that more artists, including myself, should create more about marine life, especially species which are endemic and endangered. Let us give value and take care of our environment. As a member and founder of Katilingban Ilonggo Kalinga Kalikasan Mountaineers Inc. (KIKKM), we live by the belief that “Dunang Manggad Halungan Naton” (Let us protect our nature).