It’s time to marvel at the top Filipino contemporary artworks from the Visayas region once again!
(Photo from the Visayas Art Fair Facebook Page)
Some of the country’s greatest contemporary artists are coming to Mandaue City this November for the biggest art fair in the Visayas region.
The fourth annual Visayas Art Fair (VAF) will be held on November 22nd to 24th at the Oakridge Studio at the ITC 3 building of Oakridge Business Park.
The event will feature exhibits of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and various artworks. It will also host several talks and workshops from renowned artists from around the country.
You can book your tickets ahead through the Visayas Art Fair Facebook Page. Ticket prices are Php 170 for general admission and Php 480 for a three-day pass.
Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students will get a discounted price of Php 150, although they must present their ID upon registration.
BACKGROUND OF THE VISAYAS ART FAIR
The VAF is an annual art exhibition connecting artists from the three Visayan regions (Region 6, 7, and 8) to showcase their regional arts and culture. It has since expanded by featuring artists from Luzon and Mindanao as well.
It is organized by the Cebu Culture Art and Design Foundation (CCADF), formerly Cebu Design Week, which is a nonprofit corporation promoting the arts and creativity in Cebu and its neighboring islands.
The group’s vision is to foster an economy that will benefit the country through its arts. The transition to the CCADF also aims to unite the various disciplines of art around the country.
The event is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which has partnered with the event since its inception in 2020. Other notable partners include the City of Mandaue and the Department of Trade and Industry.
This is the third consecutive year that the VAF will be held at Oakridge. The first iteration was held at the Montebello Hotel in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.
Previous art fairs have featured acclaimed artists like Cebuano architect Kenneth Cobonpue and Philippines-based documentary photographer Jacob Maentz.
FEATURED ARTISTS
The fourth annual VAF will highlight the preservation of “artistic diversity”. The theme logo was designed by popular Filipino artist Cristina “Kitty” Taniguchi.
The main exhibits will feature renowned art galleries in the Philippines, including Galerie Francesca, 29 Kapitolyo Art Space, and Fifty One Collective Art Haus. Bulacan-based abstract artist Dale Bagtas will also have a one-man show under Arcadia Art Gallery.
The VAF has invited Fine Arts students from different universities in the country to showcase their artworks as well.
“The Bearer of Infinite Blessings”, a sculpture by British artist James Doran-Webb, will be displayed at the art fair. This impressive six-meter dragon is said to represent good fortune, growth, strength, and revitalization.
Made in a span of over 15,000 hours, 80% of its materials are reused, consisting of recycled stainless steel and driftwood.
The Father of Philippine Independent Cinema, Kidlat Tahimik, was also invited to this year’s art fair. Known for his films Perfumed Nightmare and Ang Lakaran ni Kabunayan, he has also received the National Artist of the Philippines award.
His booth will feature screenings of three of his movies, and he will launch his book “Tiw-Tiwong: An Uncyclopedia to Life, Living and Art in Baguio, the Cordilleras, and Beyond”.
He will also be hosting a Q&A for aspiring filmmakers to gain inspiration from his filmmaking process.
The Visayas Art Fair includes a special exhibit called the Baylan of Mt. Kalatungan, an immersive documentary-style display telling the story of the Talaandig-Manobo community in Pangantucan, Bukidnon.
The exhibit features photos from National Geographic Explorer Gab Mejia, illustrations collaborated by members of the tribe, as well as the film Baradiya, a coming-of-age story inspired by the tribe’s spiritual descendant Krystahl.
The debut of Bisaya wood sculptor Raymund Fernandez’s newest installation will also be featured, which is called Lunapanahon: Spacetime, an exhibit inspired by space and extra-terrestrial travel.
Lastly, Pinta de Baryo will showcase the latest in his Akoy-Akoy Mural series. The Davao del Norte-based painter is known for his colorful and playful art styles that spread positivity through mundane scenes of joy and warmth.
As always, there is a lot to look forward to at the Visayas Art Fair. This is just one of the many avenues for artists and art enthusiasts to connect, inspire, and appreciate one another’s passion for art.
