Filipino artists break free from the confines of traditional canvases and express their stories, beliefs, and creativity through a unique medium – fiberglass eggs.
At The Manila Hotel on Thursday, March 7, 2024, the HATCH exhibit, presented by The Manila Bulletin, returned for its sixth year. Headlined by National Artist for Film, Kidlat Tahimik.
In the exhibition, a total of 16 artworks are on display and three of the women artists in the exhibition told the BusinessMirror a unique glimpse into their inspiration and creative process.
Valerie Teng, a 47-year-old single mother whose journey into the world of creative expression began in 2021. Graduated with a degree in fine arts, Teng honed her skills in animation for five years and ventured into the corporate world.
However, the onset of the pandemic and depression prompted her to return to her artistic roots.
Teng’s artwork, titled “Awakening,” is a reflection of life’s highs and lows, particularly from a woman’s perspective. She said that her pieces have waves that capture the ebb and flow of life’s challenges and triumphs.
Surrounding her artwork are lotus flowers, which hold deep symbolism for Teng. She explained that lotus flowers emerge from muddy waters, symbolizing growth, transformation, and the eventual blossoming into something beautiful.
Through her art, Teng portrays a message of hope and resilience, reminding viewers of the beauty that can emerge from life’s challenges.
“So, kapag babae ka, dapat matapang ka. Kailangan mong i-handle ‘yung highs and lows of life,” Teng said.
Meanwhile, Bea Policarpio brings a whimsical touch to the exhibit with her artwork entitled “Little Daughter,” which she fondly described as a mermaid egg.
In her imaginative creation, she envisioned a mythical creature gestating within this egg and ready to emerge into the world.
Policarpio delves into themes of birth and the creative process, highlighting how creativity often flourishes in the darkness before coming to light. Using fiberglass egg as her canvas, she embellished her artwork with glitter, sand, and seashells, adding texture and depth to her creation.
The choice of mermaids as the central theme for her sculpture stems from Policarpio’s fascination with folklore, particularly mermaids and fairies. However, her artistic inspiration goes beyond folklore; it is deeply influenced by her travels and her profound connection to the ocean. As a passionate surfer and swimmer, she finds solace and inspiration in the vastness of the sea.
“It’s like when I’m in the city, all I can think about is being back on the island. And that comes out in my art,” she said.
Furthermore Maxine Syjuco, the creative mind behind the thought-provoking artwork “If You Could Have Wings, Would You Want Them?” shared her perspective on the piece.
For Syjuco, the artwork serves as an invitation for viewers to ponder a common saying: “The grass is always greener on the other side.”
She challenges this notion by suggesting that even if we had wings to fly away from our problems, it wouldn’t necessarily lead to a better situation.
Syjuco emphasizes that the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere because, in exchange for wings, we might have to sacrifice our legs.
Moreover, even if we were to achieve what we perceive as a better situation, it would come with its own challenges and dangers, akin to encountering predators in a seemingly greener pasture.
Syjuco believes in making art that’s bold and fearless. To her, being a woman doesn’t mean you have to stick to stereotypically feminine themes. “I think women are actually far deeper and more courageous than society gives them credit for,” she said confidently.
The HATCH 2024 lineup also features a diverse array of artists such as Marcel Antonio X Glenn Martinez, Melai Arguzon, Andre Chan, Elaine Clemente, Katrina Cuenca, Sean Go, Julie Lluch, Marion Magbanua, Dennis Montera, Joel Reglos, Herminio Tan, and John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto.
Mark your calendars because the HATCH 2024 exhibit will be held at the iconic Grand Dame landmark of the city, The Manila Hotel, from March 8 to April 7, 2024, in the Grand Lobby.