Born: October 12, 1949
WHO AM I:
Eduardo Tubig Mutuc is a Filipino metalsmith and sculptor. He is a known to be a practitioner of the craft of pinukpuk which involved the stamping of embellishments on metal sheets. Mutuc creates works of both secular and religious nature using silver, wood and bronze mediums. This includes retablos, mirrors, altars and carosas.
CATEGORY ARTIST:
Metalsmith or Metal sculptor (bronze and silver). -
PERSONAL LIFE:
Eduardo was born in Apalit, Pampanga to farmers and grew up with nine siblings and by helping his parents in farming.
Mutuc got married when he was 20 years old. He fathered nine children with his wife.
FUNFACT!!💡
Did you know that Eduardo only graduated elementary, yet now he is celebrated as one of the talented National Living Treasure awardees, showcasing the power of passion and dedication.
CAREER:
Finding an alternative source of income to supplement his earnings from farming, he started his artistic career late as a woodcarver at age 29. He worked in an antique shop owned by the Lozano family who were his relatives as a helper. It was during his stint that he learned woodcarving under Carlos Quiros. On his sixth year, he learned silver plating or locally known pinukpuk from a colleague and left the furniture shop where he was working to be an independent craftsman with another friend.
One of his first clients as an independent craftsman was Monsignor Fidelis Limcauco who commissioned him to create a tabernacle for a parish church in Fairview, Quezon City. He went on to create other religious works many of which are based on Spanish colonial designs although Mutuc also incorporates his own ideas. He also did works of secular nature, although even in this case rely on religious influence to create such works.
Eduardo in his studio
MAJOR WORKS:
Sikat Pinoy Art Fair 2014 - Crucifix
This artwork was exhibited at the Sikat Pinoy Art Fair of 2014. It shows the crucifixion of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Oddly enough, it seems that most of the patterns from the previous cross are also present in this one as well, with the exception of the cloth draped around the cross with the status of Jesus Christ replacing it.
This artwork was exhibited at the Sikat Pinoy Art Fair of 2014. It's a rectangular frame with seemingly floral and intricate patterns inside the frame with a circle as the centerpiece.
This artwork was exhibited at the Sikat Pinoy Art Fair of 2014. It seems to be a small decorative candelabra with the intended purpose of holding a candle and being put in display inside of churches. Like the previous artwork, it has intricate floral patterns all over its surface and was provided with a thick base for it to not fall over.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
2004 - National Living Treasure Awardee