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!
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.
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!
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?
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.
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