THE FILIPINO ARTISTS: THE SOUL OF OUR NATION

We still celebrate the figurative works of great Filipino artists who inspired our senses for patriotism. The great Filipino artists still lives in our heart. Artistic paintings created by Filipinos began in the 17th century during Spanish colonial times and continued until the present, with such revered artists as Luna and Amorsolo. Other popular artists include Hugo C. Yunzon reflecting an earthy style that touches on indigenous Malay culture in pieces such as Early Risers, Nestor Leynes with Mag-ina Sa Banig, and Tam Austria with Mag-Anak.


Arts in our country has transformed the Philippine artscape. In the nearly 30 years, the arts in the Philippines have exploded. Our writers, dancers, musicians, actors, visual artists, photographers, animators, video and filmmakers have provided our country with wondrous creations, with an inspiring view of The Philippines.


In addition to what they contribute to society as a whole, the arts continues to enrich our lives. They inspire the Filipino youth and promote learning. They bring our communities and cities to life. They bring us together. They are part of us all. The current breed of Filipino artists nourishes our imaginations and our dreams.


As I have surveyed in cyberspace, and even here at Multiply, there more arts organization today. These organizations have sprouted to tap the rich potential of creative talent and to satisfy the desire of Filipino artists for their own art and their own stories. The rise of these organizations is a bold and visionary statement about the future --- a declaration of independence and an expression of confidence in the future of a rising cultural revolution in our country.


As social purpose organization, it is our un-shakeable belief that our Filipino artists are the soul this nation! They propagate culture and remind us of our cultural identity. They are our sole hope for protecting and changing our culture --- as they continue shape our cultural landscapes and hold the symbols of national identity.

We all know that culture can strengthen social cohesion, increase personal confidence, improve life skills, improve people’s mental and physical well-being and strengthen people’s ability to act as democratic citizens. Artists creates the spark to all of these and burn it within our souls.

The ultimate creative activity is the uplifting of the human spirit. It is our responsibility to bring art back into the hands of the people and to do so in an accessible manner.

The current differentiation between art, architecture, craft, and design is false, it is a false schism promoted by the art world. This unnatural taxonomy has crippled the artists and turned those who participate or attempt to participate into victims of fashion. There is no essential difference between the artist and the crafts-person. The artist is an exalted crafts-person. The conscious cooperation and collaboration of artists and craftspeople must be re-introduced to rise above the current constriction and strangulation extant in the art world.

This artistic differentiation and intolerance, based on prejudice and fear of commerce, must stop. We must take matters back into our own hands and return to the idealism of our youth. Art schools filled us with impossible dreams and gave us no concrete way of supporting ourselves except through teaching, working at odd or related jobs Or that most coveted and jealously desired possibility, hitting it big. It is time to take back the power inherent in our decision to become artists and to work at a grass roots level to create objects for use and contemplation that uplift the spirit. Participate in craft fairs. Great art at the right prices, if possible, at an achievable price for even the common mass citizen . Explore unexpected venues. Embrace commerce. The most important artists throughout history were adroit business people.

When Albert Einstein discovered the theory of relativity, he wanted to explain it so that a school child could understand it. Let our work become that clear. Our ideas can be
challenged and clarified by a direct experience with the public.


We believe in the superiority and excellence of our Filipino Artists. They make useful, beautiful, interesting, and or challenging objects. They have the talent and intelligence to educate an inquisitive public in a very unique way.

To our artists: make a living doing what you love to do. Be irreverent. Get up. Get going. There is a revolution going on in science, math, economics, sociology and psychology that is recognizing the parallel experiences of all the disciplines. Invite the public --- not just the rich or the middle class, but the ordinary "Juan". Stir their inspiration. Stir their souls.

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