Three years ago, Bagaces native Jonathan Ordóñez decided to take a welding class at the National Training Institute (INA) to help him work in construction. At the time, he never imagined that decision would lead him to becoming a metalsmith and sculptor.
His works are born in Bagaces and have been displayed in hotels like La Pacífica in Cañas and in various supermarkets. But this 23-year-old’s dream is to see more fairs in Guanacaste that allow him to share his products under his brand Arte Metal JOV.
He also would like to have a gallery to exhibit his works and be able to work full-time on his art, because he currently must abandon creative moments to do common welding work to make ends meet.
The Voice of Guanacaste recently spoke with Ordóñez about his dreams and his art. Excerpts follow:
How did you decide to go from working as a welder to being an artist?
At INA they began to invite me to fairs where there were a few opportunities. I wanted to start my own little business, and that’s what I’m currently working on. I want to have a business with a little workshop, but I’m currently focused on just moving forward. I like working on sculptures, working with discarded materials, and from there I started to invent things.
Who inspired you to work in the artistic metalsmith discipline?
My teacher at INA, Geovanny Valverde, and director Carlos Villegas began showing me images from the Internet, and we started to practice. They’re the ones who gave me the idea that this is a good business, and they motivated me to work, saying I had a lot of creativity. I had more confidence in myself with them, and that enabled me to move forward.
Where do you like to exhibit your work?
Actually it’s hard for me to go to fairs in Guanacaste, because there really aren’t that many. What I do is look for a shop, but sometimes I don’t sell anything. I would like an opportunity to go to other provinces, other places, but it’s hard for me to leave Bagaces because sometimes you have to pay registration fees, and financially I’m not doing very well. I have to pay my home and other things, so I don’t have the money to invest in a fair.
Have you managed to fully dedicate yourself to your art?
I also work on structures, making metal bars, I was drawing with graffiti, and I do portraits, but mostly I weld. Sometimes I have to stop doing my own work to earn a little money by welding.
Artists have different ways of finding satisfaction in their work. What is it that satisfies you?
I love to invent. I love to finish something and see that it ended up as I had imagined it to be. I also like to help with the environment, because sometimes you’re walking down the street and you see people throwing out garbage, and they don’t take advantage of it. I like to exhibit something as a work of art made from something people had taken for granted. That’s very compelling. I love creating value for materials that no one appreciates.
What’s your dream?
My dream is to have my own business and be able to create large sculptures. I love seeing a million pieces on the ground and then later seeing a work of art. I’m really captivated by that, because those same pieces that were thrown out have no value. For me, seeing a finished work brings a lot of emotion, and that’s due to what one likes and what one is doing.
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