A Hog-Killin’ Time at Kanheron Ranch

The nostalgia of Western films and the appreciation for craftsmanship and artistry are the two elements that amplified my Kanheron Ranch experience. Daryl Cuaresma is the artist behind this Western-inspired museum in Olo, Siquijor. From what I’ve understood, the museum used to be a warehouse for the art and other products of Cuaresma and soon turned into a museum of his artworks.

The word “Kanheron” is an integration of the words “kanhi” and “karon” meaning “the former” and “the present” respectively. These words were evident in the museum’s contents by the clear inspiration from both eras.

For me, the most fascinating thing about the artist is how he achieved this level of artistry while being self-taught. I think that the process of learning on one’s own is tedious, especially with the level of technicality that this particular art form requires. While reading a brief description about the artist, I had goosebumps from the last line which says, “Education: self-taught”. After reading that, I gained more respect for his craft, knowing that it wasn’t only made by his hands, but also made from the patience and intuition it took him to learn it on his own.

A brief autobiographical description of the artist

On one corner of the building lies a space for the equipment. The space was quite big and there was lots of equipment, most of them I do not even recognize. This emphasizes how much is needed to create.

The first artform shown to us was a collection of framed pictures created through the artist’s unconventional technique of etching and burning. To create texture, wood is carved or etched; it is then burned to create contrast and color. Seeing it up close really emphasizes the amount of detail it has. From looking at it as a whole and seeing an image rise from the wood to seeing it up close, breaking it down, and noticing the miniscule details it took to create each piece, I was amazed by the craftsmanship.

A closer look at the strands of hair, check out the details

When we were exploring the building, a lot of the pieces were furniture. From table sets, benches, chandeliers, and doors. I really appreciate it when craftsmanship is incorporated with functionality; I feel like it makes a chair something more than a thing to sit on.

There were also things like centerpieces and figurines made from wood. I really like the mini windmills and the wind does make it spin. I also like the mirror with the “wanted” frame and the preserved tree in the middle of the building.

To really get into the full Kanheron experience, you have to immerse yourself in it. We were offered cowboy hats and boots and we wore them throughout the tour. It felt so immersive, like I was an NPC from the video game, Red Dead Redemption.

yeehaw

We ordered a local beer from their bar and it felt like we were in a saloon, being surrounded with all the barrels and saddles.

Overall, I just really appreciated the craft. I understand how time-consuming and meticulous one has to be to create a place like this, and talent like that should not be taken for granted. It is one thing to be inspired, it is another to follow through that inspiration and give it passion and dedication.

I hope you enjoyed my virtual tour of Kanheron. I could not provide cowboy boots and hats, but I hope I did it justice. Thank you for reading through.

Howdy, partner!