‘Mang Ben’ to continue his love of art in Guam

He is leaving the island for good but the memories of Saipan would always inspire him to continue his passion for painting.

Self-taught artist Benjamin Ganapin Jr. is scheduled to leave for Guam tomorrow, Nov. 30, for a new job, where he sees himself continuing a hobby that has become a passion for this outgoing accountant of Grace Christian Academy.

In a visit to his office a few days ago, Ganapin related how he became hooked on painting and gave some advice to budding artists.

Though he discovered his artistic bent in high school, this Filipino overseas worker became more serious with his craft after joining the Flame Tree Festival as a newcomer on Saipan in 2006. Of the 33 paintings he displayed during the festival, he sold 29 pieces.

“As of now, I have about 100 paintings already,” said the 30-year-old native of Pampanga, who uses the name “Mang Ben” as his signature for all his works.

Why Mang Ben? He said he chose that to convey what he would become in the future.

“I know I will become old and when that time comes, those people who have my works, most of them my own friends, will say, ‘This one is by Mang Ben,’” he explained.

After his first participation in the Flame Tree Festival, Mang Ben donated the money he earned from the paintings to a church in his hometown.

For him, painting is just a hobby—maybe an expensive one—but at the same time there are rewards and he is sure he would continue to paint even in Guam.

For Mang Ben, every work of art matters. He said art reflects one’s orientation and all you need is to develop it into something positive.

Quoting Picasso, he said “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

So he makes it a point to work with young people especially students of GCA in their art classes, where his wife Kate is a teacher. (The couple has a 3-month old child, Daniel Jamin.)

He is also a frequent resource person for some Commonwealth Council of Arts and Culture activities.

His advice for the young artists in the CNMI? To continue exploring new things. To be a good artist, all you need is a little patience.

“Art is a good venue to become disciplined citizens. They just need to continue to be creative. They must continue to preserve the culture of this beautiful island,” he said.

Some of Mang Ben’s works will be displayed and sold during the upcoming annual art exhibit at the CCAC office beginning Dec. 1.

His forte is metallic paint, which is relatively new here on Saipan. His latest piece is a façade of the old lighthouse in Garapan and a view of Bird Island.