El Farol, Noëll

Noëll EL Farol is an acclaimed visual artist, master sculptor, and cultural leader based in the Philippines. Over a distinguished multi-decade career, he has built a multifaceted practice that spans independent studio experimentation, collaborative regional projects, and large-scale public art commissions.

EL Farol’s global footprint is defined by his extensive participation in international sculpture symposiums and artist-in-residence programs, through which he has carved permanent, monumental stone sculptures installed in various public locations worldwide. Alongside his active studio practice, he is a vital voice in national cultural governance, serving as an executive member of the Committee on Visual Arts at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), where he represents and champions the creative ecosystems of Southern Luzon.

Major Awards & Distinctions:

2009: Recipient – Metrobank Foundation Prize for Achievement in Sculpture (MPAS)

2004: Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) – Metrobank Foundation

1987: Grand Prize (Printmaking Category) – Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Annual Art Competition

1987: Top 5 Awardee – Philippine Association of Printmakers (PAP)

1986: Best Entry Award – Metrobank’s Young Painters Annual

Global Public Footprint & Institutional Projects:

Public Monuments: Celebrated for creating permanent, large-scale public stone carvings and structural installations across multiple international landscapes.

Symposiums & Residencies: Regular representative of Philippine sculpture at major global art symposiums, specializing in site-specific stone and cross-media material manipulation.