Throughout history, art has been used to showcase human creativity, ignite people’s imagination, and stir emotion in the hearts of many. It also plays a role in helping creators and audiences alike cope when circumstances seem too difficult to comprehend and endure.
Human suffering has long been a source of inspiration for artists—from Edvard Munch illustrating his experience with the Spanish flu to Keith Haring’s artwork on the 1980’s AIDS crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted the world has prompted people who find themselves in self-isolation to turn to art. More than a source of leisure and entertainment, art is a powerful tool that can spark hope.
With this in mind, Pilipinas Shell, in collaboration with multi-genre arts festival Fringe Manila, launched on Oct. 3 Virtual Art Interact, a platform for renowned artists to share their insights and skills.
The virtual forum-cum-workshop is a part of Shell’s long-running National Students Art Competition (NSAC), an ongoing contest that is committed to supporting young artists and is still accepting entries until October 11.
“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,” said Sankie Simbulan, Country Social Performance and Investment Manager of Pilipinas Shell.
“Because despite this crisis, art and artists are resilient. 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,” Simbulan added.
Virtual Art Interact’s main theme was “Hope in our Art” – a challenge to the youth to create works of art that encourage positivity at this time. Spread across three days and three regions to cover the entire Philippines’ rich creative scene, the first leg of Virtual Art Interact began in Luzon.
“It’s been very difficult because we can’t go out,” admitted Manila-based street artist, painter, and illustrator Jappy Agoncillo. He is renowned for his distinct comic-book style using pop culture themes.
A lot of Agoncillo's most popular works can be found sprawled against buildings and urban structures around the National Capital Region. But while the city may be his canvas, the lockdown has challenged him to seek other platforms and sources of inspiration for his art.
“I’m a street artist, but doing street art is off the table right now. I overcame this by shifting towards trying to help others. Many people have lost their livelihoods 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 how to begin their careers,” said Agoncillo, who performed a live demonstration of acrylic art during the Virtual Art Interact.
Renowned sculptor and former NSAC winner Leeroy New said technology has been shattering glass ceilings for artists, especially during the lockdown where the art-starved public turn to the internet for solace, expression, and inspiration.
“Now, everyone can share their art online and have access to a global audience,” he said.
“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 self-expression to be involved in the community—whether that’s converting your studio to design protective equipment for healthcare workers, or creating art that informs. So it’s also a matter of expanding our concepts of creativity with the times,” New added.
The next leg of Shell Virtual Art Interact is scheduled for Oct. 17 and will focus on the Mindanao region.
Meanwhile, participants who are interested in joining the NSAC may submit their entries until October 11. Winning contestants will be awarded with cash prizes (P30,000 for 3rd place, P40,000 for 2nd place, and P60,000 for 1st place), medals, and plaques. To know the mechanics, visit Pilipinas Shell’s official website, https://www.shell.com.ph/