Acclaimed Filipino contemporary artist Ronald Ventura writes that art must respond to the tumultuous times with a return to individualism.
Contemporary Filipino art is garnering increased global recognition, yet now is not the moment to grow complacent or take our achievements for granted.
The ever-evolving nature of contemporary art reflects the prevailing spirit or mood of the present, and our current reality is marked by chaos and rapid changes. In this digital age, where events unfold simultaneously and we have access to a world of information at our fingertips, no single movement or school of thought can dominate the landscape of contemporary art.
It’s also a crucial time for introspection. As artists, we must approach this era with a fresh perspective, as if introducing ourselves anew. What are our personal narratives? What drives us? What unique experiences shape our individual artistic expressions?
“As artists, we must approach this era with a fresh perspective, as if introducing ourselves anew. What are our personal narratives? What drives us? What unique experiences shape our individual artistic expressions?”
Our focus should be on sharing our distinct voices. No longer confined to the constraints of a single art movement, we empower ourselves by embracing our individual inclinations. Through this, we invite others to recognise the parallels in our journeys—the collective traumas we’ve faced, along with the shared triumphs we’ve celebrated.
In prioritising individuality, we foster a more inclusive and dynamic artistic landscape that transcends traditional boundaries.
When I was starting out in the Philippine art scene, artists fell into categories: abstractionists, conceptual artists, or social realists. The exciting styles, strategies and approaches to art that fell in between those movements were relegated to the margins. But nowadays, genres are legion. It is hard to keep track. That’s why we should focus on the individual.
What statements do we want to make? What images and ideas do we harbour that cannot be expressed in words? How can we create something revelatory when we are still inside the boxes we were forced into?