Artist Makes Amazing Sculptures from Discarded Motorcycle Parts
On any given day, Sagada-based metal fabricator Dario Frias Jr. can be found constructing various machines, such as a waste shredder, bottle crusher, sugarcane crusher, coffee pulper, coffee grinder, and roaster. During his spare time, he channels his creativity into a hobby and part-time endeavor, which is crafting extraordinary pieces of art from scrap metals.
Some of the sculptures he has created include the images of renowned Filipino tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od and reggae icon Bob Marley, a lion, a Chinese dragon, a Chinese unicorn, a cowboy, and an Igorot warrior. His works are mostly crafted from discarded motorcycle parts, as Frias is a biking enthusiast.
Frias reveals that his involvement in the EnduroCross sport inspired him to delve into the world of scrap metal art. With prior experience running a motorcycle repair shop, he has access to discarded motorcycle parts. Eager to support the Mountain Province Trail Riders Group, he volunteered to make trophies using scrap motorcycle parts for the competition winners.
Over the pandemic, he had the chance to further explore the art form, given the ample free time at his disposal. “Yung mga kasama kong artists dito ang nag-engganyo sa akin na gumawa ng art made of scrap metal, kasi sila ang ginagawa nila ay painting, woodcarving,” he shares.
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The group, later named Damayan Tribal Arts, successfully mounted an exhibit with the help of a valued sponsor. “Yung name ng group ay Damayan. Yan ang tawag dito sa mga wild mushroom na biglang lumalabas na lang pagkatapos ng ulan. Parang ganoon din kasi ang grupo namin, biglang nabuo nung pandemic,” Frias offers.
The 43-year-old artist is pleased to share that all the pieces he made in the past were immediately sold out. Now, he focuses on commissioned work while also managing his metal fabrication business.
Frias says working with his chosen art medium is no easy feat. “Ang nakakapagod ay yung mag-isip ng kung paano mo iwe-welding ang mga piyesa. Para kasi siyang puzzle. Hindi mo naman basta-basta ididikit yun kasi pangit ang kalalabasan,” says the metal sculptor. Creating intricate pieces of art can take more than a month due to the meticulous and detailed process involved.
What's advantageous about this art form is the accessibility of scrap metals, which come at an affordable price per kilo. “Karamihan sa ginagamit ko mga motorcycle parts. Minsan mga piyesa ng maliliit na sasakyan… yung kalimitang pinapalitan gaya ng preno,” he says.
Frias says discovering scrap metal art has been a blessing for him, providing not only an additional source of income but also serving as a platform for him to explore and express his creativity.
The metal sculptor dreams of one day opening an art gallery that could become a tourist destination in his hometown of Sagada.
