FEU alumnus grabs top spot at BSP art contest

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University (FEU) Fine Arts alumnus Demetrio Padua Jr. won in the recently concluded 2nd Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Tanaw Art Competition.

His abstract piece, titled “Hearsay,” bested 108 other entries to win the tilt’s top prize,which came with a cash prize of P500,000.  

Inspired by the idea of rumors having a life of their own and being a constant presence in society, Padua applied a childlike and naïve approach in his work to reflect his subject.

“I used corrugated board as my canvas because it can be seen practically anywhere like rumors, and I scratched some parts of it to expose its texture,” he said, expounding on his choice of material and technique. “In the wholeness of the idea all rumors and gossips are scrap and nonsense. The trouble with hearsay is that it could be true or untrue. It stands on shaky ground, unable to support itself, subject to speculation, thus feeding itself.”

Apart from Padua, FEU alumnus Raymond Go was also selected as one of the competition’s 32 finalists.

The BSP Tanaw Art Competition is considered as the biggest in the country in terms of awards given and the most discriminating in terms of set criteria.

The winning artwork, along with the rest of the finalists, is currently on exhibit at the Galeriya ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas until August.