50-year old local visual artist Nicolas Aca is currently a member of Cagayan de Oro Historical

Committee and a resident artist and gallery curator at Capitol University’s Museum of Three
Cultures. Sculpting seems like in the blood of this artist for since he was little, he used to sculpt
a buzz bait to catch fish not knowing that was sculpting. He had drawn inspiration growing up
from his grandfather who used to sculpt.
Mr. Aca’s works depict social issues and local politics. His subject focuses on portraits and few
of these artworks are located in the Capitol University Museum where portraits of the City
Mayors are displayed from then to now. Those portraits are really captivating, drop by and
experience it personally.
One of the techniques he gave was the use of material. Wood is his primary material and it
needs the wood to last for a long time. He soaks chemicals to the wood to counteract termites.
A proportionate and balanced artwork should also be put in mind to attain that outstanding
piece of art. Usually, it takes him 4-6 days to finish a single artwork. Sculpting isn’t an easy thing
to do, once you carve, you can no longer put it back. Moreover, he advised that the main
technique that is important in sculpting is to balance the proportion and anatomy of the
subject.
So what skills must a sculptor possesses? As Mr. Aca humbly added that though sculpting is
challenging, he described himself as an ordinary one yet his state-of-the-art works proved
otherwise. It can not be denied that sculpting is one of the hardest yet enjoyable things to do
and the ability to communicate ideas creatively through works and be able to create an identity
as an artist is fulfilling already. In sculpting world, Mr. Aca is known for its portrait, 2-
Dimensional Wall Bound sometimes landscape works with less 3-Dimentional designs. As he is
comfortable working with woods stained with oil and antique wax rather than the famous
terracotta material. In his sculpting life, he fondly shared what materials he wants to explore
and as expected, he wants to try using metal plate as what famous material used by Napoleon
Abueva- the Father of Sculpture. He also added that the beauty of Glass is interesting but
scared to explore since it is costly and the demand of it in the city is lesser compared in Manila.
In the pursuit of honesty, patience, and passion, this article is not enough to recognize the
works of Mr. Aca as the awards bagged by him are truly inspirational and indeed a Kagay-on
pride. In 2009, he is one of the Top Ten Mindanao Artists in the Philippine Art Awards for his
work “People’s Flower” and just recently in 2019, he is also one of the finalists in the said award
and humbly awaits for the result this month. In late 2016, he headed to Xi’an, China to perform
along with the top artists around the globe in the prestigious 9 th Guyu Action, Contemporary Art
Festival. Lastly, this year 2020, he landed on the Top 5 finalists in a prestigious award along with
the 20 artists nominated around Mindanao. Moreover, Mr. Aca’s influenced also brought
forward to the finest university in Mindanao, Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan wherein he
was one of the recipients of Lambago Art Awards in 2018’s highlight of Xavier Ateneo Arts
festival with the aim to unite for a more inclusive artistic initiative for the community of
Cagayan de Oro City.
Widely known not just a visual but a performance artist, Mr. Aca’s advice to young generation
who wants to try sculpting is to follow what the heart inspires to do and to keep in mind the
beauty of originality.

Apple & Ejem:

One’s creativity can be best brought into play when it is done with all your heart. Mr. Aca
mentioned that honesty and patience are his secret to come up a good art: honesty of intention
and patience to come up an artwork. Everyone is creative, everyone is an artist but it needs
someone to unleash it and that someone is no one but you.
It is not too late to start the beauty of sculpting. In these hard times, we must indulge ourselves
to visual artworks which can truly inspire us to live life and appreciate the beauty of nature. Just
like Mr. Aca’s journey of becoming a prominent artist, we are taught to follow our dreams and
never give up.