"Variations" aims to stimulate market demand for local arts

CEBU, Philippines - Nine Cebuano veteran visual artists are set to show off their works to further stimulate the growing market for paintings especially to the young generation collectors.

To be organized by Treveños Arts and Antiques, an exhibition of Cebuano work of arts will be showcased at SM City Cebu Art Center this coming October 31 to November 11 entitled “Variations.”

Multi-awarded visual artist Fred Galan said although there is now an increasing number of visual artists in Cebu, the demand for this kind of work of arts is also increasing.

Surprisingly, Galan said the more informed and educated the new generation or young market have become, they have also started to appreciate local work of arts through paintings, thus demand is becoming dynamic.

However, due to the lack of government support for this kind of “profession”, Galan said serious artists are doing their own promotional campaigns, and participating in exhibitions here and abroad in order to establish their names.

The construction boom in Cebu, in both residential and commercial buildings, has also helped artists to improve their market scope. Unlike, in the past that consumers were only the “collectors” and painting investors.

Galan, who has been in the profession for over 40 years now, said Cebu market for paintings have improved significantly, boosted by the appreciation of young generation to invest in paintings.

“Paintings are like jewelry, their value always appreciate,” said exhibit organizer and proprietress of Treveños Arts and Antiques, Nene Treveño.

Treveño, who has an outlet at the SM Cebu mall, said that although there are foreign clients demanding for Cebuano-made paintings, demand from the local market is significantly increasing.

“We need to promote our local artists. They need access to the market. Providing them a venue to showcase their works is a good promotion for them,” Treveño said.

She said there is really a need to support Cebuano talent and their endeavor to uplift awareness of “our unique culture and art, making this event part of our Cebuano heritage.”

Galan expressed disappointment that visual artists in the Philippine since been have left on their own, and support from the government has been perpetually elusive.

Although, visual artists have noted an increasing market demand for paintings, Galan said market access is one of the primary problems being faced by professional artists, even those that have already gained awards.

Earlier, the British government initiated “Creative Cebu” campaign to encourage the Cebuano creative community to put premium on their creations to take advantage of the strong demand for creative skills in the world, not just focus on the limited local market.

Creative Cebu primemover Jay P. Aldeguer made this call after realizing that a lot of artists in Cebu are charging very cheap professional fees to outsourcers such as companies, art buyers, among others.