Several entrepreneurs have benefited from the works of Filipino artists during the three-day Art Mod Fair which showcased different techniques and styles of Filipino culture at Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
ArtisteSpace, a company that organized the event, aims to promote a broad collection of art pieces that include photography, painting and drawing. ArtisteSpace also helps small and well-known organizations that focus on buy-and-sell of artworks.
“We give importance not only to well-established artists. Of course, we also need them, but at the end of the day, we are also giving opportunities to other artists from the provinces,” says Anton Magpantay, managing director of the marketing company.
Among the well-known Filipino artists whose works were put on display at Art Mod Fair are Philipp Badon, Joe Datuin, Migz Salazar, Oz Mendoza and Boysie Villavicencio.
Magpantay is particularly excited about Ang Buhay at Hugis sa Paete, a heritage shop where authentic paete wood carvings are priced according to their design, style and the wood used.
Meanwhile, one exhibitor said they used recycled gadgets and toys to catch up with the present innovations.
Art also has a different meaning to other artists and business owners like William Borja, who found a way to raise money for his wife who was diagnosed with ALS in 2014.
Jam Ramos, a photographer from Artvan and a contributing photographer for Top Gear Philippines, says the exhibition helps the public become aware of the value of art.
“People see that a piece of art was made through a lot of effort and inspiration,” says Ramos.
She thanks organizations for investing in art pieces and for motivating companies to become sponsors of artists, especially the budding talents. Aside from that, she says the exhibit also “promotes Filipino ingenuity.”
Among the organizations present in the fair was Art in Island, one of the biggest 3D art museums in Asia. They put up a human-sized white wings painting inside the hall where guests could take a photograph to look like the wings are attached to them.
For them, optical illusion and 3D paintings widen the imagination of the viewer.
According to Magpantay, the fair also invited companies such as Barista Academy of Asia, Faber Castell and Art Nebula to represent different sectors of the art industry.
Following the success of the exhibit, Magpantay says the immediate plan is to have another one in August that is designed for students representing their schools.