Vision x Interpolation: Solidifying Thomasian diversity in PH art scene
by Xander Ceballos
Just like a superhero mashup.
This was how art curator and former UST Fine Arts educator Abe Orobia described its roster of all-Thomasian artists who showcased their artworks in the exhibition titled “Vision x Interpolation” at Art Anton Gallery in Conrad Manila.
The exhibition, which was held from Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, featured the paintings and sculptures of 22 Thomasian alumni who already established prominence and showed exceptional talent in the art field — from revered veterans to prospective rising stars.
“Ang kagandahan ay different generations. Bukod sa from 1950’s, may 60’s ka, may 70’s ka, may 80’s ka, may 90’s, and 2010 onwards. So we could say na ano lahat ng henerasyon na-capture. ‘Yun ‘yung something that is very unique about the exhibition,” Orebia said in an interview with TomasinoWeb.
Bringing diversity into one space
In assembling a team of esteemed Thomasian artists, UST Atelier Alumni Association President Marissa Pe Yang said that it was a “blessing” for her that the individuals she contacted did not refuse the invitation to join the art exhibition.
“‘Yung ibang artists they will ask ‘Sinong kasama ko?’ So nobody asked me kung sino. Tapos I came up with a group na so I needed yung mga materials, may nag-suggest ng Art Anton,” Yang said.
Most of the successes of the event, Yang said, are attributed to its all-Thomasian lineup of prestigious and diverse artists.
“Kahit ‘yung ibang mga group nagsabi na ‘Uy, kakaiba!’ kasi parang bago ‘to, bago ‘tong artists pero may dating. Parang umangat ‘yung level.” “At tyaka kasi siguro kinuha ko sila dahil nakikita ko sa character din nila, gano’n,” Yang stated.
For Orebia, what made the “Vision x Interpolation” special is its notability as the first widescale, premier art gallery that brought together prominent Thomasian alumni-artists across varying generations.
“Meron man alumni show pero sa Beato Angelico Gallery. It’s such a small venue that it cannot accommodate everyone, so parang hindi naha-highlight [‘yung artworks].”
To be featured in a gallery such as the likes of Art Anton has a vigorous process, as it entails the individual’s accomplishments in the field and the career that they have built within it.
“Dapat bigatin din ‘yung artists. May pangalan talaga. So we could say na that the artists presented in the Vision Interpolation are really really, sabihin nating modestly speaking, talagang hindi lang magagaling, talagang ano sila have been practicing even after graduation until now,” Orebia said.
An assembly is not without a strong bond amongst its members.
Yang said that prior to the exhibition, the Atelier alumni already had established a “relationship” with each other. “Mayroong something bonding, may pinagsamahan [ang alumni] na parang [kapag] nag-request ako, anything na ano for the alumni, okay sila. Kagaya ni Sir Ramon Orlina, napakahirap kunin niyan,” Yang added.
The art exhibition featured the works of the biggest names in art industry ranging from Rosario Bitanga, Juno Galang, Edgar Doctor, Raul Isidro, Ramon Orlina, Anita Del Rosario, Fil Dela Cruz, Jess Flores, and Lydia Velasco to mid-level artists like Marge Orogano, Elmer Dumlao, Janna De Leon, Lisa Villaseñor, Chris Pizzaro, Jaime Nepomuceno, Richard Buxani, Meneline Wong, Milmar Onal, Jubert Asejo, and Janos DelaCruz.
Struggling with differences
Joining the fine roster of artisans are two promising individuals in the industry — Ron Mariñas and Summer De Guia. But if there was a disparity between the seniors and the up-and-comers, it would be their art styles.
With nudes as the common niche of their artworks, De Guia and Mariñas said that they hesitated to put up their works alongside those of “traditional” artists.
“‘Yung artworks namin ni Ron, it’s very modern compared sa kanila [na] traditional pa.” “Iniisip ko din, UST ‘to tapos ‘di ba dapat medyo conservative dapat and ‘yung subjects namin ni Ron, mga nude,” De Guia stated.
But for a person with a tight schedule, Mariñas said that he did not mind the situation and remained to do his art style. “What I did is just that, I used my own style instead,” he said.
De Guia and Mariñas were the only young Thomasian alumni who got in the slate of full-blown artists.
When asked how she felt about this, De Guia responded that she was “honored” because her art was displayed along with the sculptures of Ramon Orlina.
Prior to the event, Mariñas said that he and De Guia had to wait “almost the entire year” for the exhibition.
“We thought na hindi siya mangyayari and then sobrang happy kami na kaming dalawa lang pala ang napili kasi I think merong options na iba,” Mariñas added.
‘Breaking the rules’
To overcome disparities between the “traditional” and “modern” and to achieve artistic freedom, an artist should learn how to “break the rules.”
“Art is about breaking the rules, which is [to] take risks. Tyaka doon mo malalaman who you are as an artist and kung paano mo madidiscover ‘yung art style mo, like your own artistic identity,” De Guia said.
Having learned from his professors the importance of artistic freedom, Mariñas, who is currently a UST graduate student, said that art is about exerting “boldness.”
With both young artists having several gigs lined up this year, De Guia and Mariñas attributed their successes to their artistic identity.
“One of our mottos talaga is to be who you are, especially right now […] There’s no rules na ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do that’ pagdating sa art.”
