There is a reason why many believe “there is no money in art.”
(Photo from the website)
Our country is replete with talented visual artists, but not everyone gets a chance to secure financial stability due to a number of factors, one of which is the lack of proper channels to market their artworks.
“Back then, I saw a lot of young artists in the Philippines who couldn’t give their hearts a time to breathe for their creativity to grow,” lamented Yuri Stegeman. “Most of these artists grew up from families that think that being an artist is not a decent career path because it cannot ensure financial stability.”
Stegeman then had the idea to launch an online marketing platform dedicated to showcase and sell original artworks by local artists across the Philippines.
A first of its kind in the Philippines, FilipinoArt.ph is developed by Internet solutions company Chanz Global. It currently features curated contemporary artworks such as paintings, drawings, and mixed media. Sculptures and photographs will be available in the coming months.
FilipinoArt.ph mounted a group exhibition to formally launch the online platform. “Sariling Sining,” held at Art Circle Gallery in Ayala Malls Circuit, featured six artists whose works evoked varied emotions by exploring local cultural influences with distinctly Philippine themes.
The featured artists included cubist Hermel Alejandre from Camarines Sur; expressionist Pamela Lei Bermudez from Las Piñas City; expressionist Jose Ehric Egualada from Boracay, Aklan; portrait artist Ryan Orig from Iloilo City, and abstract artist August Punzal from Taytay, Rizal.
In a talkback session, the artists were asked about their repeated motivations, struggles, and frustrations as creators of art.
“One of the things that could help us artists is a platform such as this; it’s not the usual platform that is common in the past but a modern social media platform,” said Punzal. “We’re just a fraction of the artists around the country, and through this platform, we would be able to tell our stories and experiences to a more global audience.”
