Artists spark creativity among students amid pandemic
SINCE art has been proven by mental- health studies as instrumental in helping reduce stress or anxiety caused by uncertainties such as the ongoing pandemic, Pilipinas Shell, in partnership with Fringe Manila, recently launched “Virtual Art Interact,” a digital platform for established artists to share their views on the sector, as well as develop skills of budding artists and young Filipino creative talents from the grassroots level in the country.
Themed “Hope In Our Art,” the online forum- cumworkshop, with its first leg held in Luzon, featured workshop demos and artist discussions. It forms part of the petroleum giant’s ongoing National Students Art Competition ( NSAC).
“We want the NSAC to become a platform to support and empower the community, so that they may, in turn, uplift more Filipinos through art because, despite this crisis, art and artists are resilient,” said Pilipinas Shell Country Social Performance and Investment Manager Sankie Simbulan. “Through programs such as Virtual Art Interact, Shell is able to amplify artists’ voices and give young artists a better chance to thrive— despite the difficult circumstances they are facing.”
Like in other professions, the continued lockdown in Metro Manila and other areas in the country has challenged local artists. For instance, Manila- based street artist, painter and illustrator Jappy Agoncillo had to look for other platforms and sources of inspiration for his art and, at the same time, be of help to other people. Good thing the webinar had enabled him to do so.
“[ It has] been very difficult, because we can’t go out,” said Agoncillo, who performed a live demonstration of acrylic art during the cyber forum. “I’m a street artist, but doing street art is off- the- table right now. I overcame this by shifting toward trying to help others.”
He added, “Many people have lost their livelihood and want to turn to art to create, express themselves, and even earn a little more. I’ve been giving advice to younger, aspiring artists who are figuring out [ways to jump- start] their careers.”
With a lot of creative spaces shuttering, Con Cabrera, curator and art director, agreed with Agoncillo that artists need new channels to showcase their work— and that’s where NSAC and Virtual Art Interact come in. She said: “We have this [wellspring] of information and platforms through the Internet. We can easily connect. It’s a very special time for artists.”
In these trying times, when the art- longing public turn to cyber space for solace, expression and inspiration, technology has been breaking the glass ceiling for artists to bring their creative works to them, according to renowned sculptor and former NSAC winner Leeroy New.
“Now, everyone can share their art online and have access to a global audience,” he said, while citing the important role that art plays beyond demonstrating individual creativity. “But with this crisis, art as a practice has to expand. It’s not just about creating artworks, but also figuring out how to use that selfexpression to be involved in the community— whether that’s converting your studio to design protective equipment for health- care workers, or creating art that informs. So, it’s also a matter of expanding our concepts of creativity with the times.”
Sharing the same sentiment, Fringe Manila Festival Director Andrei Pamintuan opined that the artist’s role in society is to be of service in the community: “The NSAC is a good reminder for our young artists to not just hone their craft, but also think about how their art can change lives.”
“Artists are the storytellers of the world, and our stories have the capacity to transform communities and society for the better by instilling progressive ideas into our work,” Pamintuan noted.