The Philippine Art Scene is developing so rapidly that even the very young ones are already into it at an early age. Last November 15, Bambina Santiago and Dani Osmeña of Slate Manila, recently launched their first exhibit and sale entitled Novus Praeternatura.
These two ladies are only twenty years old and already they are not only appreciating art but they are professionally taking this into a higher level and managing artists and organising exhibits.
Congratulations Slate Manila on a successful first exhibit and looking forward to more. As long as we patronise the artists and their works, that will be the only thing that will dictate the value of Philippine Art. It is so nice to see many more Filipinos, young ones at that, patronising and investing in art.
The Artists – Norlie Meimban, Josue Mangrobang, Miko Sandejas, Melvin Guirhem, Sayid Cedicol and Jared Yokte ( Photo by TinoLey Digital Photography)
The proud and supportive parents of Dani and Bambina were there. And even with his busy schedule, Tito Serge Osmeña was just as much as a star as her daughter taking photos with everyone, “When Dani first told me that she wanted to organise an art show, I just wished her luck. I was not paying too much attention to it because I was so busy with my own work. I was just told to attend the show about a week before. I was so surprised by the turnout. All the pieces were uniquely special. I am so proud of Dani and Bambina’s success. I look forward to their future shows.”
It was my first time to meet the daughter of Kitty Santiago Jacinto, Bamina, and she is just as pretty as the mom. “It was Bambina and Dani’s idea to promote up and coming Filipino artists. Being able to witness the process of the exhibit coming together was really exciting and I am very proud of them. I was very happy to help out wherever I could. I was able to share entrepreneurial, marketing and PR advice. However, the art world is really Bambina’s passion. Being an artist herself, she has had an ardent love for the arts since childhood. She has an eye for detail and talent. I am thrilled that Bambina and Dani have found a way to mix business with what makes Bambina truly happy. The two are especially lucky to have so many talented mentors and loved ones who are rooting for them especially Dani’s Mom, Bettina, Bambina’s older sister, Thea, their Tita Malu, Tito Anton, and Tito Rajo.”
I arrived late already coming from another event and if you are late at these art shows, you will end up not getting anything because all the artworks are already sold. That is how it is in the art scene nowadays. You have to be quick. True enough when I arrived, the piece I wanted was sold! And together with me was Tita Bettina Osmeña who mentioned to me about the artist “I discovered Jonathan Benitez in FB. I love the lightheartedness of his works. It gives good vibes ! I wanted to buy this piece but decided to give somebody a chance to own this piece. I am glad one of my close friends ended up with this piece. I will be seeing it in the wall of my friend. I have told that I have a very keen eye for art. This piece proved to be one of the show favourites.”
Another artist I met that night was Sayid Cedicol. He had three works in the exhibit and they were all sold out with many others wanting his works. He is from Zamboanga and he uses ballpens to draw his artwork. I asked him if he uses any particular brand of ballpen for this artwork ( Invasive Jupiter Aurora 2014 ball pen on cardboard 26 X 38 inches ) and he said “I use any brand of ball pen, whatever is available there.”
Adios ( Acrylic on canvas 32 X 48 in ) by Melvin Guirhem
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