Even before the pandemic hit our country, the huge inequality of income distribution of our country’s population has always been an issue. It seems this reverse pyramid that has been experienced globally this pandemic has magnified the disparity in Philippine society.
It made me remember why I attempted to pursue law in my 20s and recently B.S. Education. This "Quest of For Everyone” has always been my panata (Filipino term for vow) to my nanny, Manang Eyang. I wished to be a human rights lawyer at one point in my life so I could lobby worthy causes.
In the past decade, I have worked with schools and parents from varied income classes both here and internationally, to actively listen, and hopefully contribute to a meaningful, even if not as widespread, solution here in our country.
Throughout my quest so far, one of my hopes is that the jolt to progress becomes the goal of a wider base of our population. I heard the term "Pang-ma lang yan, Ma'am" from parents. "Pang-ma" turns out to mean "Pang-mayaman," which means "For the rich."
My daughter was just writing about how colonial mentality has continuously kept our country from progressing. For me, this "Pang-ma" thought is no different. It's like we already have our democracy, but we still choose to compartmentalize our dreams, now not by colonizers, but from the individual boundaries of our income class.
This is why I appreciate the Art Fair Philippines usually held annually at The Link, Ayala Center, because it truly widens the appreciation and accessibility of Art to a wider base.
Similarly, I recently came across cartellino.com, which shares their stand, Art for Everyone. They "seek to build collectors, empower artists, and inspire enthusiasts to start in ways we can."
In celebration of local fine art printmaking, Limbag Kamay: Contemporary Print Fair is running for a week - from October 18 to 25 at cartellino.com. A collaborative effort between Fundacion Sansó, Cartellino, and the Association of Pinoyprintmakers (AP), this fair would be the first of its kind for the Philippines, as it shall exclusively feature hand-pulled fine art prints.
Intaglio etchings, drypoint, relief, collagraph, serigraphs — hundreds of such works will be on show, and by none other than Philippine printmaking’s most exciting practitioners.
Fairgoers can expect original works by master artists and printmakers Virgilio “Pandy” Aviado, Elmer “Emong” Borlongan, Noëll El Farol, Jess Flores, Lenore RS Lim, Manuel Rodriguez Sr., Juvenal Sansó, and Wesley Valenzuela, alongside those by over 60 printmakers the likes of Mars Bugaoan, Joey Cobcobo, Hershey Malinis, and Diokno Pasilan.
As Limbag Kamay is artist-initiated, its co-organizers Angela Silva, Anton Villaruel, and Jun-Jun Sta. Ana shall also be exhibiting works.
Some of the original works of Master Artists and Printmakers seen on the Limbag Kamay Contemporary Print Fair (Clockwise): Virgilio “Pandy” Aviado’s “Sarimanok”; Juvenal Sanso’s “Port Moderne”; Elmer “Emong” Borlongan’s “Old Man Smoking A Pipe”; Mars Bugaoan’s “Empty Tin Can No. 2”; and Lenore RS Lim’s Untitled (Red) from the Comfort Women Series
As a fair, Limbag Kamay maintains that the spirit of printmaking is inseparable from the equitability of its processes. Not only can viewers expect affordable yet exceptional art, 30 percent of all the profits will also help printmaking practices continue, by raising funds to build a prototype batch of small-size etching presses.
These desktop etching presses are designed for portability and affordability and are to be made available to printmakers across the Philippines. This is a future project to be handled by AP.
During each day of the fair, there will be online talks, demonstrations, and discussions on relevant topics about Philippine printmaking, where viewers can find the practitioners and caretakers in their element.
Apart from a live printmaking demonstration by master artist Elmer Borlongan about his printmaking process, there will also be a steady diet of discussions and talks by artists, educators, and museum representatives alike. These talks (schedules to be finalized) shall cover printmaking’s history and new trajectories, as well as print appreciation, from its installation for exhibitions to its collection and care.
Limbag Kamay: Contemporary Print Fair will run from October 18 to 25, the works on exhibit at cartellino.com. All talks and demonstrations shall be streamed in the organizers’ respective channels:
Facebook: Association of Pinoyprintmakers | Fundacion Sansó | Cartellino
Instagram: @pinoyprintmakers_ | @fundacion_sanso | @cartellino.art.
I believe art is a good start for this "quest for everyone." Democracy allows our human dignity to demand true progress, which I strongly believe starts with each child being equipped with 21st Century Skills regardless of class. I hope we parents can work towards this with our own children, as well as in our own community as well.