10 Questions with Napoleon Haboc

Napoleon M. Haboc is a quinquagenarian industrial product design freelancer and an emerging contemporary artist based in Qingxi Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.
He has two main mediums in his art: colored textured acrylic paint on the mat board and a monochromatic crosshatched bamboo fine debris art, respectively. He is a nature lover and fascinated with the natural texture of marble and rain, including symbolism, which inspired him to use these features to create art in his chosen art theme.

A combination of nature and intention is the two phases in his artistic approach to his colored art medium. By painting a rainy effect texture or by scattering random acrylic colored paints on the mat board panel and wrapping it up with clustered recycled and unsorted kinds of used cellophane to create natural prints on the panel's surface. The fun part of this process is that it always provides unexpected results; he calls it "surprise art." He will then complete the story through his wild imagination with symbolism by incorporating related art ideas for the final touch revealing the textured marbling and rainy effect, the crater-like texture, and the obscurity of his art characters.

The crosshatched fine bamboo debris art is his second and newest significant art medium. He used both conventional imagery and symbolism to convey his art's message. He chose a black mat board as his background because black is a mysterious color typically associated with the unknown or negative; it's also a prestigious color representing strengths, seriousness, power, authority, and a symbol of grief. He chose finely chopped bamboo debris as his primary material in this medium because bamboo has a global spiritual and symbolic meaning and is his other representation of the tangible rainy effect and his minimalist art. Bamboo symbolizes strength, flexibility, development, and luck. By crushing bamboo, chopping it into fine, sharp, tiny sticks, and gradually and patiently piling it up layer-by-layer, forming a layered crosshatched pattern and texture on his black panel's surface with special glue, he can compose a one-of-a-kind art piece monochromatically from natural material.

artworkarchive.com/profile/napoleon-m-haboc | @napoleonmhaboc

INTERVIEW

First of all, tell our readers a little bit about you. Who are you, and how did you start experimenting with images?

Hello, I'm Napoleon M. Haboc, and I go by the pseudonym NMH on social media, and I'm a self-taught industrial product designer and contemporary artist from the Philippines. I have over two decades of experience in Chinese manufacturing, specializing in furniture, decorative lighting, and accessories design. Unfortunately, due to the Sino-American trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic, I lost my full-time job as a senior decorative lighting designer after ten years of service from a once-big and reputable Taiwanese manufacturer in Qingxi Town, Dongguan City. However, I've turned this setback into an opportunity to offer my freelance design services to clients. I provide decorative design concepts, graphics-related work, and weekend art tutoring for young passionate Chinese kids. Though it's a challenging routine, I enjoy it because I learn so much from this experience.
My passion for art started when I was a child. My surroundings and the artists in my neighborhood who performed workshops always fascinated me. As I grew up, I observed and imitated their techniques. Whenever I had an idea, I would sketch it out. Although I never had a formal education in a prestigious art school, I'm grateful for the knowledge and skills shared by two local fellow Filipino Igorot artists. Guillermo Nadunop, a.k.a Guilf, taught me the proper techniques of portraiture, which I still use today, and Artus Talastas, a.k.a Forawet, influenced me with his creative ballpoint pen portraits and character designs. I'm proud of my Igorot heritage, and I'm honored to have worked with these talented artists who have my utmost respect.
Before my work in the Chinese manufacturing industry in China, I pursued my passion for art in Baguio City, Philippines. I participated in a group exhibition called "Year of the Ram 2003" at the Tam-awan village, curated by Benedicto Cabrera, a.k.a BENCAB, a renowned Filipino painter. Additionally, I previously worked as a Non-Uniform Personnel (NUP) in Camp Bado Dangwa, Trinidad, Benguet. My position was that of a "cartographer." Still, I referred to myself as a "composite facial artist" since my primary job was as a forensic sketch artist, sketching potential criminals within the Cordillera region. My two-decade career in decorative product design interrupted my artistic passion and forensic sketch work when I was suddenly hired in China. It was a difficult decision in 2003 as I valued my tenured government job, mainly assisting helpless victims. However, sometimes you must choose between your comfort and growth zones, and only one can be selected while the other must be sacrificed.
In 2018, I was invited and showcased my traditional artistic works at the Kalulu Art Gallery, a private art training center in Qingxi Town, reigniting my passion for art, which had been dormant for almost 20 years due to my design career. Since then, I have begun experimenting with my art using traditional and non-traditional art materials to make my art's voice stand out.

You work as a product designer. How does your design background help you with your work as an artist?

As a self-taught industrial product designer, I constantly challenge myself to learn new or related software and techniques, observe the world, and seek input from like-minded individuals. The creative mindset required for decorative product design demands a keen eye for beauty and inspiration in various elements, including nature, existing objects, textures, and patterns. I apply this same approach to my art by seeking natural inspiration, which I love and consider the best reference. Similarly, I will photograph it using my smartphone if I notice eye-catching stuff, mainly because it's a good inspiration. Whenever a good idea pops into my head, I jot it down to revisit it later.

What is your personal aim as an artist?

To find my life's purpose. As an artist, I aim to use my art to make a difference in the world. I want to raise awareness about important issues, share my experiences and knowledge, and provide helpful tips and tricks to fellow art enthusiasts of all ages. Ultimately, if I am successful one day as an artist, I aspire to assist young children in need, particularly those with untapped potential who lack support regardless of race. Having experienced firsthand the negative impact of a lack of support, I understand its detrimental effect on a child's dreams and aspirations.

What is your favorite experience as an artist so far?

The most gratifying aspect of being an artist is assisting others and witnessing the joy it brings them. One of the most unforgettable moments was when I worked as a forensic sketch artist in the Cordillera region. During that time, I was able to sketch some suspects involved in a notorious criminal case successfully. It's hard to describe the satisfaction I felt knowing that my simple actions played a part in arresting those unknown culprits and bringing justice to the helpless victims. Additionally, sharing my artistic knowledge with others and receiving their appreciation brings me joy. It's incredibly motivating to receive positive feedback from people who find my unique creations exciting and inspiring.

You define your work as crosshatched fine bamboo debris art. Can you explain to us how you work on a piece? For people that are not familiar with the technique, what is your creative process?

Crosshatched fine bamboo debris art is my newest and second significant art medium. I stumbled upon the idea while hammering a sharp bamboo barbecue stick I was about to throw away. I was concerned it might accidentally hurt someone, so I beat the tip before disposing of it. I noticed how thin bamboo debris collected on the floor during this process. This allowed me to experiment with gluing a small portion of bamboo debris I had collected from my spontaneous hammering. The first experiment, which involved gluing bamboo debris on black paper, was successful, and my new medium was born.
I use conventional imagery and symbolism to convey my art's message. I chose a black mat board as the background because it provides excellent contrast and is a mysterious color associated with the unknown or harmful. It's also a prestigious color representing strengths, seriousness, power, authority, and a symbol of grief, making it a perfect complement to this medium. My primary material for this medium is finely chopped bamboo debris. Bamboo has a spiritual and symbolic global meaning and represents the tangible rainy effect and my minimalist art. It symbolizes strength, flexibility, development, and luck.
To create a piece, I crush bamboo chopsticks or barbecue sticks using a hammer, patiently chop them into delicate, sharp, tiny bars with a sharp knife or cutter, and gradually and patiently pile them up layer by layer. Using special glue, I form a layered crosshatched pattern and texture on a black panel's surface, resulting in a one-of-a-kind monochromatic art piece made entirely from natural materials. Finally, I apply varnish to enhance the art piece's strength and beauty. Doing this piece of art is tedious and tiring, but it provides joy and satisfaction for every accomplishment.

You have a distinctive style, both for acrylic painting and for bamboo works. How did you develop this?

Through keen observation. Since childhood, I have been curious about everything around me and asked many questions. This curiosity annoyed my parents, especially my mother, but it drove me to observe my surroundings closely. I drew inspiration from how humans moved and other details, using them as references for my drawings and doodles. I believe this practice is similar to what old masters did. As I grew older, I remained curious, always observing and asking questions. I noticed patterns in nature and my mistakes, questioning what, why, and how they happened. These questions forced me to find answers on my own.
One example is my textured acrylic medium. It was a beautiful accidental mistake while making pen and ink artwork on a black mat board. The board accidentally dropped on the floor, hitting my house paint acrylic paint, which I had forgotten to cover adequately. I was desperate to fix my carelessness, so I picked up the artwork thoroughly soaked with acrylic paint and set it aside. I wrapped it with cellophane and put it away after cleaning my mess. I planned to throw it away but left it all day since I had other important things to do.
When I finally decided to throw the artwork, I noticed something from the dried paints- a beautiful effect. The accidental wrapping of unsorted cellophane caused beautiful art prints I never expected, which is why my textured acrylic medium was born. I began experimenting by redoing my mistakes. I scattered random acrylic paints on the mat board and wrapped them with recycled plastic bags, such as grocery bags, setting them aside for at least a minimum of three weeks to more than a month curing time, and the result was fantastic. It always provided me with surprise art. Sometimes, I analyze some unexpected shapes it gave me and add some elements through my wild imagination to complete the message of my contemporary art. Occasionally, we ignore minor details of our mistakes without realizing it gives us new accidental ideas we never thought of. Carefully examining our mistakes can sometimes provide a clue for a new direction on what we should do instead.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your work? Do you have any specific references?

I draw inspiration from the beauty of nature. Nature holds a universal symbolism that resonates with me, and I enjoy merging my art with its elements - the natural world or the wild occurrences happening in our world. I've chosen to focus on life's realities as my art's theme, as it encompasses my observations, experiences, and newfound discoveries that have become a part of my artistic expression.

What do you think about the art community and market?

The art community is a fantastic place to connect with like-minded individuals, engage in entertainment, and draw inspiration from other artists through personal interactions. Active participation in the art community and receiving valuable feedback from other artists can help you learn and gain a new perspective on various art forms.
As for the art market, recent articles suggest that unlike stocks or other investments, art tends to maintain its value despite market fluctuations. This was evident during the 2020 pandemic, where other markets experienced significant declines while the art market remained stable. The art market may attract new audiences in the years to come, particularly in contemporary art.

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

Life can be challenging at times, mainly when unexpected events occur and leave us feeling defeated. However, I've learned to stand up and keep going, even when things get complicated. The pandemic and ongoing conflicts in certain parts of the world have caused much suffering, but I refuse to let it be an excuse to give up. Stormy days will come, but they eventually pass, and we must be patient and strong enough to weather the changes that come in the aftermath.
As for what I'm currently working on, I'm juggling a few things. I'm focused on my ongoing therapy, small freelance work, and reading books or articles related to my skills and passions. I'm also gradually resuming my contemporary art progression, taking it one step at a time; I'm currently doing an acrylic painting on a mat board, its collection regarding important memorable and meaningful landscapes I have visited in the past. These are remarkable historical places in China that captured my heart. I thought of having a break for a while from my two main art mediums and making a temporary transition this year (to catch up with my contemporary art collection this year due to my prolonged break; because my two prior art medium is a bit tedious to do; I will resume doing these mediums soon as I gain back my normalcy) and use merely pure traditional brushwork with my usual rainy effect technique which I'm very excited to share online very soon. Although I took a break from posting my art online for a few months, I'm determined to resume sharing my work once I finish my therapy. I'm excited to return to doing what I love the most- creating art.

And finally, what is one piece of advice you would give to an emerging artist?

Finding a unique voice for their art to stand out, but it be can be challenging, but it's important to remember that even the most minor mistakes and actions can contribute to your artistic voice. Pay attention to successful artists and your trivial actions, as they can provide valuable inspiration. Read related books or articles online; they sometimes convey ideas, and feel free to experiment with different materials and stay passionate about your art. I recommend following successful artists online and using their careers as references and inspiration. Focus on the art themes that interest you the most and keep an ideas notebook or use your phone's messages app to record any great ideas that pop into your mind. This will ensure that you remember all of your creative thoughts. Have enough rest for a new sense, and develop your routine exercise with a balanced meal because health is wealth. In my experience, an unhealthy body and mind kill everything in you and can interrupt your focus on pursuing your goals.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.