Art for relief
MANILA, Philippines - In the wake of Haiyan, one of the most devastating typhoons in modern history, an inspiring number of people are mobilizing to help out. There is an outpouring of local and international aid, and through severe obstacles, volunteers from all parts of the world are doing their best to get help to those who need it.
Not everyone can be in Leyte or Samar, handing off goods or offering medical assistance. Frankly, I would be pretty useless in a situation like that. The great thing is that there are many other ways to help. People have been generous with their time, helping out in relief operations scattered in different cities. Musicians have been organizing gigs, while merchants have been pledging to donate their proceeds — some as much as 100 percent — to organizations like the Red Cross.
Similarly, many artists have been selling their pieces, with the intent of donating the money to Haiyan aid. If you are interested in getting a piece from your favorite artist, now may be the time to do so.
Artists like Elbert Or, Aldy Aguirre, Robert Alejandro, and DK Comics and Pinoy Colorists Group are offering new work for cash donations. Apol Sta. Maria, who is having his first solo show this weekend, will donate the profits towards relief for Haiyan victims. Some artists like Kitkat Pecson, Celina de Guzman, and Manuel Gonzales are producing prints of their work, to aid in relief as well.
Photographers like Tata Yap, Sandra Dans, and even those who are currently based elsewhere, like Hannah Reyes, Regine David, and Ayden Grace, are offering prints in exchange for cash donations as well.
If you’ve wanted an Elmer Borlongan art print, the Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS) is raffling off 10 limited-edition prints by the artist. They are also matching all donations, peso for peso up to P100,000, donated to them, geared towards the children displaced by Yolanda.
Papercut works
If your taste is more for papercut works, Jimmy Brunt is offering 100 percent of the sales (including postage!) of his next 30 prints to relief for Haiyan victims. Mansy Abesamis is auctioning off a papercut work as well.
Our very own Young STAR is holding an art drive for the victims of Yolanda. Young artists such as Leeroy New, Ryan Villamael, Luis Santos, Dan Matutina, Soleil Ignacio, and Tokwa Peñaflorida will be selling their works online. Limited-edition prints from photographers like BJ Pascual, Shaira Luna, An and En Estrada, Cholo Dela Vega, Gabby Cantero, Sonny Thakur, and Tim Serrano will also be up for sale at www.facebook.com/YoungStarPhils.
This Friday, Bloom Arts Festival will be donating a percentage of raffle ticket sales towards Haiyan relief. They have also set up a donation area during the event, in case anyone wants to donate in cash or in kind.
And, there are more people doing whatever they can to get the victims of Haiyan as much help as possible.
If you wish to view more art-related relief efforts, please visit http://artforhaiyan.tumblr.com, which has compiled most of them. Local artist Mariano Ching is also currently gathering some pieces by artists. 100 percent of all the sales will go towards the betterment of the victims of Haiyan. The logistics are still being worked out, but please stay tuned for the announcement as the roster of artists is quite exciting.
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Many people have been feeling quite helpless, thinking that they don’t have anything to contribute to the aid of the people in devastated areas. I think this serves as a reminder that every little bit of help counts. Tweet the author @presidents.
