The Ateneo Art Awards 2009

Ateneo Art Awards Short-listed Artists with Judges and Sponsors (photo from R. Jalandoni)

Ateneo Art Awards Short-listed Artists with Fr. Nebres of the Ateneo, Richie Lerma of the Ateneo Art Gallery, judges, and sponsors (photo from Rani Jalandoni)

Michelline Syuco with a piece from "Armadillon"

Michelline Syuco with a piece from "Armadillon"

Well, I got two of the three winners right, and the third I actually picked as a runner-up, so I guess I didn’t do too badly in predicting this year’s recipients of the Ateneo Art Awards.  I had a feeling the two-dimensional pieces would be passed over, no matter how excellently-made.  All in all, the quality of the short-listed artists only bodes well for the future of Philippine art.  I am proud to say I saw all but two of the shows in situ.  It was great to relive them at the Ateneo Art Gallery’s display at Shangri-La Plaza Mall.  Of course the experience does not come close to actually viewing the shows (where was Patty’s lace piano?), but still, you do get a feel for the sensibilities of each of the artists.  How exhilarating to witness the diversity!

Detail from Michelline Syjuco's "Armadillon"

Detail from Michelline Syjuco's "Armadillon", shown at Mag:net

 

Raul Manzano, Editor-In-Chief of Metro Society, one of the night's sponsors

Raul Manzano, Editor-In-Chief of Metro Society, one of the night's sponsors

By Joey Cobcobo from "8 Printmakers"

By Joey Cobcobo from "8 Printmakers" at Avellana Art Gallery

It took two-and-a-half hours before we knew who made it:  Leeroy New for his Teratoma II, Digmaan ng Mundo installation for last year’s Singapore Biennale (see this blog’s archives, October 2008), Patty Eustaquio for SLab’s inaugural exhibit, Death to the Major, Viva Minor (posted on November 2008) and Kiri Dalena for Keeping the Faith, an interactive installation which I had caught at the Lopez Memorial Museum but could not photograph.

Allan Balisi from "Spacing Out" at Blanc Compound

Allan Balisi from "Spacing Out" at Blanc Compound

The winners get the chance at three grants given by La Trobe University in Sydney, Artesan in Singapore, and The Common Room Networks Foundation at Bandung, Indonesia.  A win does not guarantee a residency as each institution holds the prerogative of choosing who they award this to.  Lucky Leeroy received the two grants from Sydney and Singapore! Kiri, meanwhile, heads to Bandung.  Congratulations to you three!

By Kidlat de Guia

By Kidlat de Guia, from "Sleeping White Elephants" at Galleria Duemila

All in all, the Ateneo Art Awards gives us a sampling of the dynamic work from young artists.  Wouldn’t it be great, though, if we had an awards body that did not impose an age limit?

By Leeroy New from his installation, "Teratoma II, Digmaan ng Mundo"

By Leeroy New from his installation, "Teratoma II, Digmaan ng Mundo" at the Singapore Biennale

So much impressive work in the past year has been produced by artists older than 35!  Now wouldn’t that truly spice up the scene?

This year’s short-listed artists for the Ateneo Art Awards are: Martha Atienza, Allan Balisi, Ringo Bunoan, Joey Cobcobo, Kidlat De Guia, Christina Dy, Patricia Eustaquio, Jan Leeroy New, Goldie Poblador, Pamela Yan Santos, and Michelline Syjuco.

By Martha Atienza, from "Man In Suit" at Green Papaya Arts Projects

By Martha Atienza, from "Man In Suit" at Green Papaya Arts Projects


The Ateneo Art Awards exhibit of short-listed artists runs from 7 to 17 August 2009 at the Grand Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong.  It continues from 26 August to 30 September at the Ateneo Art Gallery, Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University.  For inquiries, you may call (632) 426-0088 or visit http://www.admu.edu.ph

Pamela Yan Santos and Kiri Dalena

Pamela Yan Santos and Kiri Dalena

 


Pam Yan Santos, from "Like" at Blanc Compound

Pam Yan Santos, from "Like" at Blanc Compound

Cedie Vargas and Chit Ramirez of the Lopez Museum, Dindin Araneta, Dean Tina Colayco of the UP College of Fine Arts, Dannie Alvarez of Yuchengco Museum and Irene Marcos Araneta

Cedie Vargas and Chit Ramirez of the Lopez Museum, Dindin Araneta, Dean Tina Colayco of the UP College of Fine Arts, Dannie Alvarez of Yuchengco Museum, and Irene Marcos Araneta

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