The artist is present
MANILA, Philippines - Art Fair Philippines 2015 kicked off yesterday at The Link in Makati, and will be running until Feb. 8. Like last year, this year’s Art Fair takes up an entire floor of The Link’s carpark, an alternative space to exhibit and sell some of the best in modern and contemporary Philippine visual art. The Link’s a venue accessible to all — from the most noted art enthusiasts to the youngest curious students — enabling just about anyone with the inclination to go to, well, go, and discover what Philippine art has to offer. Thirty-three galleries are participating, with 10 special exhibits. We at YStyle will definitely be shelling out our P150 if we haven’t already by today (P50 if you’re a student with a valid ID, and free if you’re from a Makati City school), but we wanted to take a peek into venues not typically so accessible — the artists’ studios.
In fashion, the finished product is seen on the runway, with every tiny stitch, sequin, and electro-pleat in place. But the magic happens in the atelier, a painstakingly detailed process you may have already seen in the behind-the-scenes videos Dior and Chanel have put up online. We’ve seen a number of local ateliers in our day — all with touches unique to the designers — and were curious to see where the art is created before it is hanging on our walls. Some of our favorite artists were willing to oblige.
Jake Verzosa
Silverlens Galleries
Medium: Photography
Can you tell us about the work you’re showing at this year’s Art Fair?
My work is about the disappearing tradition of traditional tattooing in Kalinga and the changing perception of what beauty is for them.
Walk us through your workspace. Where is it, how did you set it up, and why did you set it up that way?
Any desk space can be my workspace, since most of what I do now (emails, editing, documents, et cetera) can be done with just my laptop. My film scanner, printer and other peripherals are in my home office.
How do you work? What’s your process?
I often shoot in digital format, but for my Kalinga work, I used film, scanned them, and printed them digitally. I usually work alone, from shooting to editing and printing.
Anything coming up that we should be looking out for?
The complete Kalinga work will be exhibited in Silverlens Galleries on March. 24, 2015.
Costantino Zicarelli
Silverlens Galleries
Medium: Graphite on paper
Can you tell us about the work you’re showing at this year’s Art Fair?
The work for the Art Fair was part of my last solo show from last year, titled “The Dust of Men.” The series is titled “Until the Light Takes Us,” a series of drawings of deer heads and goat heads. The work is based on the idea of sacrifices.
Walk us through your workspace. Where is it, how did you set it up, and why did you set it up that way?
My workplace is actually my house; it’s a simple setup. I tried getting a studio space before, but it didn’t really feel quite comfortable. I guess I got used to the way things flow here at home.
How do you work? What’s your process?
I start work way in advance. For my last solo show in Silverlens, I showed in all three spaces of the gallery, so I had to start a year ahead of time. But as usual, I ended up rushing at the last minute! Haha!
Anything coming up that we should be looking out for?
For my next project, I’m cooking up this show which will be at my place and will involve my neighbors. Haha! It will be titled “I’d rather be eating your family: Suburbia Trilogy,” and it will be around early this year.
Zean Cabangis
Art Informal
Medium: Acrylic and emulsion
Can you tell us about the work you’re showing at this year’s Art Fair?
I did five large paintings and 10 small ones. The small pieces are partnered with small manquette pieces. I also did a big sculpture made of 3/4 plywood, colored in acrylic, stacked together, layer by layer. It’s about five feet in height, and complements the large scale paintings.
Walk us through your workspace. Where is it, how did you set it up, and why did you set it up that way?
My studio is located inside UP. I think I subconsciously set it up like this. I did not have a plan except for the location of the sunroof, ventilation, and the lighting. I was moving the tables/chairs/stretchers, et cetera, according to the process I was in. So yeah, basically I just want my studio to have a natural source of light and good ventilation.
How do you work? What’s your process?
I work in fragments. Just imagine circuit training in your gym. My process starts with my phone camera. I take pictures and then I edit them in Photoshop, then print them using emulsion to transfer the image on the canvas. The transferred image is “sandwiched” in acrylic paint to create a spontaneous and controlled effect.
Allan Balisi
Blanc Gallery, Silverlens Galleries
Medium: Oil on canvas
Walk us through your workspace. Where is it, how did you set it up, and why did you set it up that way?
It’s in Quezon City. It’s not much of a setup, it’s just a plain space. I work in random places within the area, or where I’m comfortable to paint. I just lean the canvas on the wall where I want to; there’s no specific spot, except for drawing, of course. Everything’s done indoors.
How do you work? What’s your process?
I start the process looking for images from films and movies. Not committed to looking for a certain image, but rather to hunt for an image that intrigues me, wandering aimlessly or swimming in a pool of pictures. Then I render them with a very thin layer of oil paint in washed-out, somber gray.
Anything coming up that we should be looking out for?
I have a two-person show with Vic Balanon this May at Silverlens Gallery, and a solo show in November at Blanc Gallery.
Isabel Santos
West Gallery
Medium: Acrylic and graphite on canvas
Can you tell us about the work you’re showing at this year’s Art Fair?
I have two works for the Art Fair. They’re kind of a bigger version of what I did in my family’s group show last year in Silverlens (“Gathered Narratives”). It’s also a transition from that show to my upcoming show, also in Silverlens. Parang middle ground siya. They’re my biggest pieces so far. I’ve painted enlarged versions of chosen comic book images and totally unrelated images drawn on them. Unrelated, in a sense, but bagay siya in my head. I really love the contrast between color and neutrals, that’s why I’ve chosen to paint and draw in my works.
Walk us through your workspace. Where is it, how did you set it up, and why did you set it up that way?
I really had no say on the aesthetics of the studio because it was my lolo’s old studio, so it’s like working with what I’ve got. If I needed something, like I needed more light, I’d move things around.
How do you work? What’s your process?
I work with different things at one time. I’ll work on another piece while the paint dries on another. Sometimes when I’m not quite happy with the current thing I’m doing, I’ll do another, and just come back to it. Sometimes, on different days kasi, a work looks so bad, but on other days, you find ways to fix it. I tend to destroy stuff when I’m not happy with it, so it’s important to pause and leave the work for a while.
Anything coming up that we should be looking out for?
I have my first two-man show in the small room in Silverlens with Ian Jaucian on Feb. 26! Also, I will have my first solo show in September at West Gallery. I also have a show at Blanc in 2016.
