Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Manalo.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in the Philippines. I arrived here in the US not knowing what to do with my life. I had originally been pursuing Computer Engineering back home when my family and I decided to immigrate in 2004. I had struggled with accepting my new life and deciding whether to continue with my engineering degree. I eventually switched to be in the medical field. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out since working inside a hospital seemed impossible for me to imagine. I finally decided to change my career to art –something I’ve always had passion for as a child. I graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and a minor in Art History. I’ve worked at several art institutions in Houston like the Houston Community College Art Department as a studio manager and The Blaffer Art Museum. I have been showing work in the city and across the United States with collectors from the east to the west coast and several in the Philippines.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If ever I had a chance to speak to a person who wants to pursue art, I wouldn’t discourage them but I will tell them that it won’t be easy. There will be times where you will feel like no one appreciates you and your work. You need to be mentally ready and know that failure is part of the process. One of the struggles I’ve had along the way is not having enough people, who look like me, to seek guidance from. I had to navigate the art world by myself and figure out its ins and outs especially being a minority. This is one of the reasons why I founded, with the help of Bridget Bray fo Asia Society of Texas, the Filipinx Artists of Houston. I wanted to create and to grow a creative Filipinx community committed to the discovery and sharing of the stories of voices unheard through each of our own gifts while being rooted in the collective and individual experience of being human.
Alief Art House – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Among other challenges I have faced being an artist is having an inclusive space for everyone. Space has always been one of the problems hindering ideas from becoming a reality. With that in mind, I decided to make my own. Alief Art House, created as part of my DiverseWorks Project Freeway Fellowship, is a hub for creativity that highlights the cultural richness of the multiple communities in Alief. Alief Art House is a shipping container on the grounds of the Alief Community Garden at the Alief SPARK Park and Nature Center that will house art events curated and organized by myself in collaboration with other creatives who reside and work in Alief. My vision is to create a sustainable environment for creativity, jump start an art-focused movement in the neighborhood, and positively impact Alief’s image.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career, so far, has been the moments when you start seeing ideas turn into something physical. There have also been those moments where, because being an artist is a selfish career, you come out of your personal practice and involve a community. Lifting the community up, as you lift yours has been the most fulfilling work for me so far.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mattmanalo.com
- Email: matth3wmanalo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @aliefarthouse @mattmanalo
Image Credit:
Sergio Garcia
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