Topic 1: Giving Honors to the Artists and Artisans

Time Allotment: 3 hours

Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, you will be to: a. Distinguish artist
from artisan;
b. Write a feature article about an artist/artisan who has dedicated his/her life to the cultivation
of the arts; and
c. Demonstrate appreciation on the contribution of an artist or artisan in the community.

Presentation of Content

Who is an Artist?
Artists work in the fine arts, including painting, illustration, and sculpture. All fine
artists first learn to sketch, and begin with a pencil and sketchpad to work with an idea on
paper. Artists transfer their vision to canvases or other medium, and this may mean working
in oil, watercolor or pastel. Sculptors take their sketches and create 3D products from clay,
marble or other material. Illustrators might work for a publishing or animation company, or
create original comic books. All artists’ work aims to create an overall reaction from a
viewer.
Generally, an artist is defined as an art practitioner who produces or creates
indirectly-functional arts with aesthetic value using imagination.
They produce us pieces as the means of provoking our thought, ideas and emotions that are
necessary to discover ourselves and our feelings.
Job responsibilities of an artist include:
a. Developing ideas for a canvas or product
b. Selecting a medium for a final work, including texture, size, or area
c. Collecting work for a portfolio
d. Applying for grants for financial support
 Take a look at these famous artists.

Fernando Cueto Amorsolo is one of the most important

artists in the history of painting in the Philippines. Amorsolo
was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes.
He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in
the use of light.

He painted and sketched more than ten thousand pieces over

his lifetime using natural and backlighting techniques. His
most known works are of the dalagang Filipina, landscapes
of his Philippino homeland, portraits and WWII war scenes.

Born in Calle Herran in Paco, Manila, on May 30, 1892,

Fernando Amorsolo Fernando Amorsolo began drawing and sketching as a young
boy. The family lived in Daet until the death of his father. At
that time his mother moved the family to the home of her cousin, artist Don Fabian dela
Rosa in Manila. Amorsolo was 13 years old at the time and in order to help provide for his
family, he sold his drawings and began to study art under dela
Rosa. http://fernandoamorsolopaintings.com/Fernando_Amorsolo_Biography_Page.htm

A closer look at this work will reveal brush strokes executed

with the ease of a virtuoso. The featured painting is
considered a masterpiece for the subtlety of its encoded
messages, which, in this case, has been described as
national pride. In stark contrast to the increasing
westernization of the urban capital Manila, this work is a
celebration of the pristine, rural Philippine countryside. The
scene is bathed in sunlight and features a country maiden.
This work is a fine example of this National Artist’s favorite
subject and setting. Amorsolo notes, “My conception of an
ideal Filipina beauty is one with a rounded face, not of the
oval type... The eyes should be exceptionally lively… The
nose should be of the blunt form but firm and strongly
marked… The ideal Filipino beauty should have
a sensuous mouth…not…white-
complexioned, nor of the dark brown color…but of the clear
skin…which we often witness when we meet a blushing girl.”
For Amorsolo, the Filipino beauty was an important symbol of
national identity. The colors of the Philippine flag are evident
in the blue kerchief, red skirt, and white blouse. The subject
gazes directly at the viewer, holding a generous bundle of
newly harvested rice, a hope-filled moment for the young
Philippines.
Juan Luna is considered one of the greatest Filipino
artists in Philippine history with masterpieces such as
Spolarium, The Death of Cleopatra and Blood Compact.
Not only did he excel in artistry, but he was also a
political activist during the time of the Philippine
Revolution during the late 19thcentury. His close
friendship with National Hero Jose Rizal has sparked
Philippine nationalism and pride. Juan Luna was mostly
known for his works as being dramatic and dynamic,
focusing on romanticism and realism styles of art.

Juan Luna
http://vanz2005.tripod.com/vanz.html

This is the “Spoliarium” by

Juan Novicio Luna, as
masterpiece created in
1884. It is one of the prize
possessions of
the Philippine National
Museum today.
This Neoclassical
artwork earned Juan
Luna 3 gold medal
in the Exposicion
Nacional de
Bellas Artes and
recognition among the
connoisseurs and art
critics. It was praise so
much that even Jose
Rizal, Philippine’s
national hero, prepared a
Spoliarium speech for Juan Luna,
https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-analysis-of-the- addressing two things from his
paintingSpoliarium-by-Juan-Luna
artwork, the glorification of
genius and the grandeur of his artistic skills. And it’s not a surprise why he called the artwork “The
Glorification of Genius.” Not only does it enticed the fewer with compelling imagery of death, but
it also sneaks in a historical nod to the Filipino History.
 What you have just learned is an artist. This time, may you get familiar with an artisan.
Who is an artisan?
Artisans are craftsmen who work in textiles, pottery, glass and other areas. They are
craftsmen who make practical artistic products, such as earrings, urns, stained glass and
other accessories. They gain their knowledge by studying under master craftsmen and then
practicing with continued study. They work to create something new, original, and at times,
provocative. They spend a good portion of their time selling and promoting their items in
various marketplaces.
In other words, artisans are craftsmen who produce directly functional and or decorative
arts. They help us in meeting our basic needs such as food, clothing, dwelling, furniture,
kitchen utensils and everything that makes our life easy are crafted by artisans.

Job responsibilities of an Artisan include:

a. Using and mixing mediums like paint, metal, glass, or fabric
b. Shaping, gluing sewing, testing and producing products
c. Displaying work at various sites including auctions, craft shows or online markets
d. Estimating costs and material need
Take a look at this famous Filipino artisan.

Tina Maristela-Ocampo
One featured
artisan who
intended to
showcase Filipino
craftsmanship is
Tina
MaristelaOcampo.
When she
first thought of the
concept for
Celestina, what she
really wanted was to “bring whatever here in the
Philippines out to the world. Hence, Celestina would
produce find handmade bags using local indigenous
products crafted by Filipino artisans.
Other artisans engage themselves in producing different products.

Pottery
https://pixabay.com/en/ancient-pottery-pots-clay-antique-
2179091/

Basket Weaving
https://pixabay.com/en/wickerwork-basket-weaverscraft-
1314017/

Filipinos are known for being creative and resourceful. They try to maximize what whatever
resources they have just to earn and sustain their basic needs.
LOOK: Dumagat artisans turn driftwood into artworks
Rogelio, one of the Dumagats living near the Ipo Dam in Bulacan, has got the
nature as his
partner in making great art pieces.
The 12 Dumagat artisans in Rogelio’s community transforms driftwood, an
uprooted and fallen part of trees washed away by river and streams, they collected
from the watershed to create competitive sculpture pieces bearing nature-inspired
designs.
After gathering the wood from the water, the artisans will then let them dry for three
days, and when these are ready, the transformation starts.
In creating artworks, the artisans let their imaginations run wild and thus seeing
existing images out of the driftwood. And from there, the simple wood becomes a
distinct sculpture of nature’s elements. Birds, fishes and even humans, among
others, are just some of the favorite images formed in the sculptures of the Dumagat
artisans.
One would really expect great artworks coming from the driftwood, which was only
used before by the locals as firewood, as the Dumagat artisans were trained by
renowned Filipino sculptures.
Rogelio, who has nine children, gets a living from his masterpieces, being able to
sell an artwork for up to P300.
This project does not only provide the Dumagats livelihood but also provide mother
earth a support for sustainability.
ANC Green Living,
23 January 2016 http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/v1/01/23/16/lok-dumagat-artisans-turn-
driftwood-into-artworks

Let’s Watch!
Video about Dumagat Artisans
https://news.abscbn.com/lifestyle/v1/01/23/16/lookdumagatartisansturn-driftwood-into-
artworks