FROM INDIGENOUS

TO CONTEMPORARY
GROUP 6
 Abaca
• a leaf fiber composed of long slim cells extracted from the stem of
an abaca plant
• a material known for its great mechanical strength with long fibers
that can resist saltwater damage
• usually processed and pulped into specialty paper and used for tea
and coffee bags, currency notes, sausage casing paper, vacuum bags,
and more
• used to create handicraft products such as shoes, wallets, hats,
slippers, clothing, furniture, and even wall coverings
 Bakbak
• the thick brown fiber from the outermost leaf sheath of the abaca
stalk
• a highly in-demand raw material in the furniture industry
• can also be used as twine or braided to create mats, cecilia dining
table, boxes, jars armchairs, bangkuay bin, and other bins
 Bamboo
• a highly reliable and versatile raw material that can be used as whole timber, split,
or in strips to create musical instruments, weapons, textiles, decorations, furniture,
and many more
• other local products that can be created from bamboo are kubing, bungkaka,
tongatong, angklung, pateteg, and gabbang
 Buntal
• a cylindrically shaped fiber extracted from the petioles of buri palm
leaves
• have good dyeing qualities and are pliable and quite durable
• can be used to create bags, shoes, wallets, table accessories such as
pen holders, file trays, picture frames, placemats, lampshades, and
window blinds
 Coir
• the seed-hair fibrous material from the outer husk surrounding the
coconut fruit
• can be used to create doormats, carpets, wall coverings, trellises, and
geotextiles through the wet or dry processes twines
 Nito
• an endemic plant belonging to the fern family found in the tropical
forests of Sri Lanka, across Malaysia, Southern China, India, And
the Philippines
• also called the red finger fern or nitoan in the philippines
• plays a significant role in the furniture and handicraft making
industries, especially in Bohol
• used in creating and making native products such as hats, baskets,
fans, blinds, trays, placemats, bags, box containers, wine holders,
chandeliers, lampshades, and other decorative products
 Pandan
• an aromatic spiky leaves plant in fan-shaped bunches valued for its
sweet floral fragrance that grows and thrives in tropical climates
• ideal for making handicrafts such as baskets, bags, wallets, hats,
planters, mats, picture frames, and other similar products
 Rattan
• fast growing and vine-like and is a close relative of the palm family
• a strong and pliable raw material used for making furniture and
handicrafts such as baskets, coasters, placemats, storage boxes, and
other novelty items
Traditional Techniques Applied to
Contemporary Creation
 Weaving
• the method of creating textile using different sets of yarns or threads
interlaced to form a fabric-like material
• the local raw materials used for weaving: cotton, fibers, abaca, and
pineapple

Weaving in the Philippines began in the 13th century. Today, there are
roughly about 450 weaving groups across the country. This traditional
technique has been part of Philippine culture and identity and is still
being patronized by many artists. Many contemporary artists have taken
up the painstaking labor and intricate art of weaving.
 Raffy Napay
• a Filipino contemporary artist

Growing up with a seamstress mother,

Napay was exposed to a wide variety
of threads and soon used these
materials to make his artworks,
creating lines using threads sewn by a
machine and woven by hand.
Nest (2017)
 Wood Carving
As an art form, wood carving involves sculpting wood to create a
decorative bas-relief on small objects to life-size figures in the round,
furniture, and architectural decorations. Wood carving is considered the
most common technique in wood sculpting. Traditionally, wood is being
worked and handled by hand tools. During contemporary times, this
technique has evolved such that different power tools and even saws are
used to carve wood of all shapes and sizes.
Clifford
Espinosa
Clifford Espinosa, an architect turned craftsman, is one of the contemporary artists who is
passionate about the art form. The pieces of furniture art that Espinosa creates reflect his different
facets: an artist, architect, environmentalist, and Filipino. Espinosa challenges the idea of utility in
art by telling stories through his designs. His technique is a dynamic and spontaneous
contemplative play on jigsaw pieces and each assembled design is marked by individuality.
Furthermore, every wood cut, form, and color has ergonomic considerations, ensuring that each
design is both salient and comfortable-thus reflecting Espinosa's motto that "Design should be
meaningful, functional, and have human value."

A known environmental activist, Espinosa uses reclaimed wood from age-old houses in creating
his masterpieces. Moreover, being true to the organic material, he constructs without the use of
harsh nails. Instead, he handcrafts wooden nails and pegs, including mortise and tenon, to
connect each piece. He also employs only natural processes for buffing and finishing.
Hallelujah
 Pottery
To create a piece of pottery, a person must shape clay into a specific
object either by hand or wheel-thrown techniques, and then heat it at
high temperatures. Among the decorative arts, pottery is considered
one of the oldest and most widely used. Traditionally, pottery was used
for cooking marine and freshwater animal species, holding vessels for
liquids, plates, or bowls from which food can be served.

Currently, potteries are used as a creative outlet, especially by artists

such as Johnson Tsang, who is known for infusing kinetic energy to
create uncanny human faces and contorts to convey extreme emotions.
Love in Progress Love Impact
by
JOHNSON TSANG