Contemporary Art Crafts 9 Contemporary Art Crafts.pdfto describe and appreciate these art crafts....

CONTEMPORARY ART CRAFTS

Philippine Contemporary Art in the Regions 1

Contemporary Art Crafts

Welcome to the ninth module of the course on Philippine Contemporary Art from the Regions.

For this chapter, we will discuss art crafts made by contemporary artists.

In this chapter you will be able to familiarize yourself with the different contemporary art crafts

in different regions. You will be able to identify and compare these contemporary art forms. You

will also learn how to describe and analyze these contemporary art forms. You will be able to

classify and compare these art forms and research on them. You will also learn the guide in how

to describe and appreciate these art crafts.

Culture in the Arts

Artists are able to show their feelings, ideas, perspective, views about life and reactions

to issues through art. And as artists are part of their culture and society, their experiences within

their culture and society are also reflected in their art. In this sense, art objects have cultural

significance, of which the artist is a part. Being part of their culture and society, their experiences

are objectified in their carvings, chants, dances and other art forms. Artists materialize a way of

experiencing and bring a particular way of thinking out into the world of objects, where others

can look at it. These arts, in any form, represent what is meaningful to a group of people or

culture.

Although art crafts in the Philippine regions have retained many elements that

characterize the locality from which they come from, folk arts have evolved to satisfy the

changing local and global demands. Crafts in the contemporary times in the Philippines are in the

form of bags, mats, textile, baskets, footwear, ceramic pot, clay pottery, jewelry, metalwork, to

name a few. Some of the materials used are pandan (seagrass), coconut leaves, abaca buri (palm),

piña, shell, or bamboo.

Contemporary Expressions Inspired by Folk Arts

Folk arts are pieces produced by indigenous people, which are for practical use and

also as decoration. It uses plants that are abundant locally, like pandan, buri, abaca, piña, or

bamboo. Therefore, different places specialize in their own folk art. For example, in Ilocos,

they have the inabel weave and the handwoven binakul. Abaca is most dominant in the

Bicol region and is used to make sandals, bags, rags and handicrafts. Samals of Sulu makes

woven buri mats. Pandan leaves are dyed green and then buri strips are interwoven with the

base design in Samar.

9.0 Contemporary Art Crafts

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Folk arts have evolved in the different regions as they have been influenced by

globalization, new techniques aided by technology, global aesthetic, and market demand.

For example, the banig is made from pandan and were traditionally woven into sleeping

mats in its natural color. Now, different types of banig are produced in different colors and

are designed with flowers, birds, or geometric shapes. They are not just used for sleeping

mats anymore, they are also used for making bags, wall decors and throw pillow cases.

The contemporary expressions inspired by folk arts are as follows:

Woven products (textile, fabrics and clothing) Locally and globally, our woven products are being used for clothing, bags

and accessories and they are based on folk art and design. More people are able

to recognize and appreciate our products and this provides more employment

and encourage development and sustainability of the art craft industry.

With modern technology, fashion designers are able to make the very

texturized quality of our local products better for comfort and style. They have

been successful in bringing our local fabrics to the fashion industries and to the

global consumer market.

The Barong has been around since the Spanish rule in the Philippines. The

fabric was made of piña, jusi, abaca or banana. Variations of the original

barong have been created by contemporary fashion designers and can now also

be worn by women. There is a variety of embroidery design and they come in

different colors, like red, blue, brown, yellow and green. The “polo barong” is

another variety, which was designed to be worn at work. It has short sleeves

and are made of cotton, ramie or chiffonille.

NCR. Famous barong designs by Barge Ramos. 2013.

(http://static.squarespace.com/static/508da03be4b0d288

44ddf21c/t/529f5263e4b0755bfc885a9c/1386173030687

/Ramos'%20famous%20barong%20designs)

Cebu. Banig clothing at the Banig Festival.

(https://rrhcssr.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/bani

g.jpg)



Bags and Accessories Bags of different sizes and shapes are functional and aesthetic. In Ilocos,

abel fabric is designed with geometric patterns is both fashionable and useful.

In Bacolod, pandan leaves are woven and can be tied with cow leather to make

bags of export quality. In Bicol, rattan and other types of wood are used as bag

handles. In Tacloban, banig can be used to make purses.

Contemporary fashion designers make creative use of ikat weave by

turning these into accessories and clothing accents. Ikat is mostly practiced in

Cordillera by the Ifugaos and the ethnic croups in Mindanao. Ikat is a style of

weaving that uses dyeing process before the threads are woven to create

patterns or designs.

NCR. Roland Alzate, “Weaving the Future

grand price winner, combined hablon, mixed

abacca, piña and banana seda along with dyed

fine hemp

(http://myjourneytolife.info/?s=tnalak)

NCR. Randy Ortiz uses t’nalak, an

abaca fabric handwoven by the

T’boli tribe from South Cotabato.

(http://tippiocampo.com/?tag=weavi

ng-the-future)

ILOCOS. Abel Iloko bags.

(https://blauearth.com/tag/abel-iloko/)

TACLOBAN. Banig coin purse.

(http://sky-clad.blogspot.com/2015/02/latagaw-

diaries-basey-banig.html#.V4RrOFcfc1i)


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ARMM. Ikat Belt.

(http://tippiocampo.com/?tag=weaving-the-future)

In other parts of the north, natural materials like stone, rocks, woods,

sticks, animal bones, shells, feathers, leaves, cloth or leather can be made into

accessories.

PALAWAN. Necklace made of animal bone and tooth, wood, stone, shell and leather.

(https://www.facebook.com/kaingud/photos_stream)

In Mindanao, pearls are abundant and these make beautiful jewelry.

Footwear For footwear, indigenous materials like beads, crochet, rattan and woven

fabrics are used. Not only are they attractive, but they have been proven to be

strong and durable.

In Laguna, sandals made of abaca are decorated with colorful beads.

Sandals made of buri can be found in Bohol. They are thin and light and they

are perfect for indoors, and are easy to bring for travelers.



Home-use products People are now more selective of the materials used in our products,

especially at home because of environmental concerns. In Cebu, banig are

made for throw pillow cases. In Bukidnon, abaca is woven into hats, baskets,

and different types of containers. In Bacolod, pandan leaves are used to make

trays. In Bohol, rapia is used for bottle holders.

Lampshades Native plants like buri and abaca can now be used to make lampshades.

Amlong vine and ceramics can also be used.

NCR. Ikat loafers by Ruby Diaz-Roa.

(https://dressmeinlila.wordpress.com/author/dre

ssmeinlila/page/2/)

LAGUNA. Slippers and sandals made of

leather and abaca.

(https://traveleronfoot.wordpress.com/2015/04/

22/liliw/)

BOHOL. Wine holder made of rapia.

(http://www.boholbeefarm.com/product/

wine-holder-collapsable)

NCR. Throw pillow cases made of banig.

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/24882394813

5573641/)


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Decors Woven fabrics used as wall decors are called tapestries. These are

common in Ilocos and Baguio. Other decors can now be made from different

materials like driftwood, dried grass, dried flowers, coco twigs, crochet, pandan

leaves, tiles, resin, wood, abalone shell, capiz and other materials abundant in

the region.

Masks Many ethnic tribes in the Philippines believe masks to have magical

powers. They can serve as dwelling for ancestral spirits or can be put on the

door to scare off evil spirits. Contemporary artists may make masks for

decorative purposes.

DAVAO. Amlong vine lampshades by Maria

Vinecraft, Inc.

(http://www.choosephilippines.com/specials/

products/140/amlong-crafts/)

CATANDUANES. Lampshades by Terestian

Craft.

(https://chitsblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/)

BACOLOD. “Bayanihan” by Vida Hayes,

made of coco twigs, crochet and pandan

leaves, 2013.

(https://www.facebook.com/VIVO-

Handmade-286507434693842/photos)

BACOLOD. Mosaic decors.

(https://www.nvcfoundation-ph.org/mosaic-art/)



To be able to appreciate art crafts, just like any visual art, the viewer has to

understand the qualities of contemporary design. Appreciating art crafts may be guided by

looking into the folk art references, its cultural significance, and artistic design and

function. Below is the guide:

Folk art reference o What type of folk art inspired the art craft?

Cultural significance

o Identify the region that produced the art craft

o What is its cultural significance?

Artistic design and function o Describe the contemporary artistic design of the art craft

o What function does it serve?

Furniture Products

As mentioned in an earlier chapter, in the recent couple of years, there have been

more skyscrapers and commercial buildings being built for residents, shoppers, business

office work, conventions and various types of social gatherings and activities. With these

new structures, there is a need for new furniture designs. Contemporary furniture designers

do not only consider form and function. They use technology, new materials, and

measurements that fit the size, comfort, demand and movement of the users. They have to

study new trends and use global designs as point of reference.

BACOLOD. Masks.

(http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.ph

p?t=1457460&page=41)

PALAWAN. Masks at the Lotus Garden Asian Fine

Dining restaurant.

(http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-108346031/stock-

photo-lotus-garden-asian-fine-dining-mask-decor-in-

palawan,-philippines)


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In offices, contemporary furniture designers make modular furniture, that is

furniture that are made of several units that can be re-assembled to make a more complex

structure. Systematic work and movement in the office is made possible with this. Desks,

chairs, filing cabinets, and computers are arranged so that the occupants can simply turn

the chair without having to cross the room, which can be time consuming.

Other big clients of the furniture industry are hotels and restaurants. They need

designs that match the building’s motif or theme. Hotels need particular furniture design

for their reception area, lobby, function rooms, bedrooms and halls that match the room

design and location considerations like the weather in the area.

NCR. Office Furniture.

(http://www.jecams.com.ph/shop/19/workstation+system)

(http://www.jecams.com.ph/gallery)

(http://www.costuless.com.ph/virtuemart/working-stations/arc-workstation-

system/arc-multiple-workstations.html)

DAVAO. Furniture by Milo Naval and Maria Cristina

Floirendo-Brias at Pearl Farm.

(http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/143183/villa-5-of-pearl-

farm-in-davao-fashionably-indigenous-address)

PALAWAN. Microtel by Wyndham.

(http://www.microtel-palawan.com/gallery/)



CEBU. The Henry Hotel.

(http://www.cleartrip.ae/places/hotels//4097/409773/images/5706335_25_b_w.jpg)

For the home, wood and abaca can be combined to make good home furniture.

Individual furniture can also be decorated with resin and paint.

Because of growing threat to the environment, furniture craftsmen had to look for

alternative materials that did not involve endangering the environment. They started using

materials like plastic monobloc lightweight stackable polypropylene chairs, and metal

combined with abaca and other plant-based but durable materials. Despite limitations,

Filipino furniture craftsmen are preferred in many countries of the globe, according to the

Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP).

There are not a lot of contemporary furniture designers in the Philippines. The

famous ones had the privilege to study abroad and have good exposure to contemporary

furniture as they are well-travelled and have interacted with Western and other Asian

furniture designers. Many of them are from Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, Isabela and Ilocos.

Most of them still carry the more traditional designs that match local architecture.


10

LAGUNA. Ito Kish. (http://www.notey.com/@lifestyle_unofficial/external/9134604/sights-to-behold-ito-kish-s-spring-themed-

exhibit-can-be-your-next-home-design-peg.html?q=ito%20kish)

CEBU. Vito Selma.

(http://www.vitoselma.com/all/)



CEBU. Kenneth Cobonpue.

(http://www.kennethcobonpue.com)

In appreciating contemporary furniture, the viewer has to understand the qualities.

As mentioned earlier, contemporary furniture designers do not only consider form and

function. They use technology, new materials, and measurements that fit the physical size,

comfort, demands and movement of the users. Below is a guide in appreciating

contemporary furniture, focusing on its form, function and materials:

Form o What type of furniture is it?

Function o How will the furniture be used?

Materials

o Are the materials good for such furniture design?

o Is it environmental- friendly, durable and does it have aesthetic appeal?

Ceramics and Pottery Art

Ceramics is the general term used for art that is made of clay that has been heated to

a very high temperature so that it becomes hard. Pottery is a type of ceramics that is


12

utilitarian. There are two types of contemporary ceramics, which are functional and

decorative. Contemporary artists explore a variety of artistic shapes and function in pottery.

Ceramics that have a practical purpose are used in the home, like tableware, vases, oil

burners, oil and lotion bottles, pitchers, trays or tea sets. They may be used in different

parts of the home, like the living room, bedroom or the garden. They may also be used in

business reception rooms, offices or hotels.

There are also hand-made ceramics for decorative purposes like table centerpieces

and embedded on the wall or hung. They can be in earth color brown or painted with

colorful designs, geometric patterns or human figures. They can also be made to look

shiny.

Whether it serves a function or not, ceramics posses the elements of art. For

example, it has form, characterized by its shape, color and texture. Shapes and forms in

ceramic art can be countless in variety. They can be round, square, rectangular, figurative

or non-figurative, irregular, or unidentifiable. The limit is the artist’s imagination and

capacity to shape the clay using his hands.

ANTIPOLO. Lanelle Abueva-Fernando.

(https://lanelleabuevafernando.wordpress.com/stonew

are-ceramics/)

MANILA. Ella Mendoza, "Munti" series,

Wood-fired Stoneware, 2015.

(Image courtesy of artist)

LAGUNA. Jon Pettyjohn.

(https://www.facebook.com/Pettyjohn-Pottery-

287243246490/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10151970824136491)



LAGUNA. Tessy Pettyjohn.

(https://www.facebook.com/Pettyjohn-Pottery-287243246490/photos?ref=page_internal)

BATANES. Blue dining plate by Pacita

Abad, acrylic on ceramic, 2016.

(http://www.pacitaabad.com/Art/Detail.p

hp?id=6960)

BAGUIO. BenCab.

(http://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Mother-

and-Child/CFB01116A9F6FC71)

CEBU. Jose Joya, 1983.

(https://s-media-cache-

ak0.pinimg.com/236x/43/34/3d/43343d339971202caa82b8f5a011bddc.jpg)


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The rapid increase in the number of coffee shops and spas has created a bigger

market for ceramics. There is a variety in shape and design of coffee mugs, like big ones,

small ones, painted, or sometimes with sculptured figure embedded on the surface or the

mug itself is shaped as human figure or animated object. Artists are challenged to

experiment with design, color, texture or a combination because the market demands

beautiful objects.

In appreciating ceramics, the viewer has to understand the qualities. Ceramics

consider the form and function (or no function). Below is a guide in understanding the

quality of ceramics:

Form

o Describe the dominant elements of art

Function

o What purpose does it serve? (decorative or practical)

o If it is decorative, what are its physical qualities?

o If it serves a practical purpose, can it serve this purpose well, given its

form and design?

Decorative Art in Paper, Coffee and Tattoo

Contemporary artists are using new media like paper, coffee, and tattoo to express

themselves. Even though the medium varies, the Filipino subject matter remains and is

evident in the works of artists in different regions. Their products are not only enjoyed

locally but also by tourists and commercial places like the coffee industry. There is an

abundance of paper, coffee and tattoo in the Philippine regions. What is needed is to

promote these art media and to train young artists on how to make decorative products

using these.

Paper Art

Paper as a medium offers artists a lot of options. Paper can be shaped in

any way and several processes can be done to help the paper hold a desired

shape. For example, artists can do paper maché in different shapes or hand cut

designs on the paper.



Coffee Painting

Brown powder coffee can be used for painting. It is used like watercolor

or other water-soluble medium, where the artist uses water in varying amounts

to be able to paint using the medium and get different values on paper. Because

coffee is brown, it offers a sepia finish to the work. To protect the artwork and

avoid smudging, the artist uses fixative.

LAGUNA. Ryan Villamael. 2014.

(http://statusmagonline.com/cut-and-map-

ryan-villamaels-isles/)

CEBU. Mona Alcudia.

(https://www.instagram.com/p/_qaF8mOX9B/)

NCR. Sunshine Plata.

(https://www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Plata-Filipina-Coffee-Painter-320559794147/photos)


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Tattoo Art

Tattoo is a traditional decorative body art popular in the northern region.

There are different motifs and design used for tattoo. It may symbolize

something or can be done as a permanent adornment on the body. For the

different Kalinga tribes, tattoos can be a mark for rites of passage, for example

the transition into adulthood, to mark a man as a warrior, to indicate social

standing in the community, imagery and talisman in their tribe, or for

aesthetics, as some tribes see tattooed bodies as beautiful. For those in Benguet,

they use thick soot and juice from wild plants pricked into the skin using a

thorn of a citrus plant. For the Bontoc people, the use needles that were set into

a carabao horn to make a wound, then ink made of resinous soot rubbed into

the wound.

As in previous forms of art, the qualities of decorative art have to be understood by

the viewer to be able to appreciate it. Form and function are the considerations of

contemporary decorative artists. Below is the guide to consider in appreciating decorative

art:

Form o Describe the dominant elements of art

Function

o What purpose does it serve? (decorative or practical)

o If it is decorative, what are its physical qualities?

o If it serves a practical purpose, can it serve this purpose well, given its

form and design?

NCR. Dyani Lao.

(http://dyanilao.com/wolf/) CEBU. Needlepoint Cebu Tattoo Studio.

(https://www.facebook.com/cebutattoo/photos)



Supplementary Links to Videos and Readings Videos

“Art Is EP5 Featuring Knicolai Mendoza” (10:12)

<http://thinkingmansclassroom.com/2015/08/01/art-is-ep5-featuring-knicolai-

mendoza/>

“Eco-friendly Philippine mats (Banig) : a symbol of Filipino culture” (3:59)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb1A2wYQWIc>

“Artist of the Week: Sunshine Plata” (7:08)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdtRY6c7BjE>

Readings

“5 Places to Get Good Pottery in the Philippines” (10:00)

<http://www.pepper.ph/5-places-get-good-pottery-philippines/>

“Philippine Ceramics Arts and Crafts Center (Tiwi, Albay)” (10:00)

<http://www.benjielayug.com/2015/04/philippine-ceramics-and-crafts-arts-tiwi-

albay.html>

“CONTEMPORARY FILIPINO POTTERY AT YUCHENGCO MUSEUM” (5:00)

<https://yuchengcomuseum.org/contemporary-filipino-pottery-yuchengco-museum/>

Glossary

craft an activity involving skill in making things by hand

handicraft decorative domestic objects made by hand using simple tools

aesthetic concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty; giving or

designed to give pleasure through beauty

paper mâché repulped (soaking paper in water to reduce it back to its fibers) paper

that has been mixed with glue so that it can be molded.

References Ramirez, Veronica E. Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions. Manila: Vibal Group,

Inc., 2016. Print.

Salvador-Amores, Analyn Ikin V. "Batek: traditional tattoos and identities in contemporary

Kalinga, North Luzon Philippines." Humanities Diliman 3.1 (2007).

<journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/humanitiesdiliman/article/download/32/716>

" paper mâché ". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia

Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. Jun. 2016 < http://www.britannica.com/art/papier-mache >

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