Visual artists seek government support

CEBU, Philippines - A group of visual artists in Cebu calls for government support to maximize the growth potential of Cebu’s Visual Arts industry.

“There is a good market for visual art pieces, provided that artists are given support especially in terms of marketing. We need government’s help in this aspect, just like what other countries are doing,” said renowned Cebuano visual artist Andrew Barba

Barba, together with six other multi-awarded Cebuano artists will be joining in the upcoming art exhibit dubbed “Variations 2: Cebu through the Artist Eye” at the SM Cebu Art Center this coming January 13 to 26.

Organized by Treveño’s Art’s and Antiques, Barba said practicing Cebuano artists had been surviving with their own efforts, without the help from the concerned government agencies.

Works of Barba, Mar Vidal, Tony Alcoseba, Celso Pepito, Tony Alcoseba, Antonio Vidal, Darby Alcoseba, and Vidal Alcoseba Jr., will be showcased during the 11-day exhibit in celebration of the “Sinulog 2011” festival.

Although, there is a big potential to capture the huge visual arts market not only in the Philippines but all over the world, Barba stressed that government’s little support even in providing them a venue to showcase their works could be a big help already.

Over the years, good visual artists in Cebu survived only on their own, by participating different and sometimes expensive art exhibits in Cebu and other parts of the country. 

According to Barba, the visual arts industry in Cebu could largely contribute to the tourism sector, if they were to be recognized and be given even a “little” support.

Providing the artists with a venue, or “museum” that would showcase the works of Cebuano artists, not only to selected ones, but open to professional and practicing visual artists, is what the industry needs now, Barba emphasized.

Barba whose works also gained prominence in other parts of the country and even abroad, said that visual arts market is growing now, as art collectors and visual arts lovers are considering Asia, as one of their favorite destinations.

He said each artist have their own “forte” and attract their own market niche. “Some collectors appreciate traditional visual arts [sunsets, landscape, and sunrise], some also like the contemporary works.”

Commercially, there is a huge potential for Cebu to become one of the centers for visual arts in the Philippines, but the industry can not move by itself, it has to be “nurtured” and supported by a government agency or a body that oversees the concerns and set direction for industry players.

“We understand that the government has limited financial resources. We are not asking for monetary support, but any help the government can do for our industry. Helping us in marketing and promotion is already big deal for us,” Barba added.

Earlier, Visual Arts Industry in Cebu president Dennis E. Montera said that the industry is looking at getting a significant share of the world’s multi-billion dollar visual arts market, but players are seeking help from the government and concerned sectors.

According to Montera Cebuano visual artists have potential to be worldwide players, if given the right support from the government, especially also in the technical aspect.— (FREEMAN)