Master artists mentor next-gen talents at 55th Pilipinas Shell NSAC in Cebu, NCR, Bacolod

CEBU CITY – Master international artists and alumni of the Pilipinas Shell National Student Arts Competition (NSAC) are now sharing their expertise, creativity and talents as mentors to 74 student-artists from the different schools and universities in Cebu that joined the final Art Interact of the 55^th Pilipinas Shell’s NSAC held on December 10 at The Kabilin Center (TKC) in Cebu City evoking the theme “Sulong Sining”.

Jan Leeroy New, Shell NSAC 2004 and 2006 2nd-place winner for Sculpture is a celebrated artist whose installations have won acclaim in New York, Paris, Dubai, Singapore, and other major global centers.

Edgar Doctor, recognized among the “2000 Outstanding Artists and Designers of the 20th Century” by the London-based International Biographical Centre was the Shell NSAC 1960 3rd-place winner in the Conservative Art category and Shell NSAC 1964 1st-place winner for On the Spot Painting.

Jonathan Joven, who won 2nd place in Shell NSAC 2012’s Watercolor category, has showcased his works in top galleries in the Philippines, Singapore, and Asia. 

Finally, Hyacinth Laoke, known for her work in Digital Fine Arts, was 3rd-place winner and 2nd-place winner in that category in Shell NSAC 2011 and 2012 respectively.

In the Cebu Aliens workshop, Leeroy New showed creative ways to reuse and recycle plastics to create wearable art pieces.  He said this approach stemmed from his youth where, as a student at the Philippine High School for the Arts, he learned how to be resourceful.

“I would go to recycling centers when I had no sources for my art. My first paintings were of fishermen and farmers,” He reminisced.  Later on, though, he learned that art can be in a public place and not just inside the traditional art galleries.

New advised the more daring Cebuano artists who might follow this path that the public may have their own interpretation of their work.  “All you can do is make the most of how you do it, and make sure you understand what you’re doing,” he added.

In the Metro Manila three artists three artists; Doctor, Joven and Laoke lead during the Virtual Art Interact but, the first face-to-face Art Interact kicked off at the Anima Art Space, Quezon City, on September 17 that highlighted the creative techniques that Shell NSAC alumni taught the young artists who later applied them in the workshops.

Doctor prepared the young audience to brave the difficult moments ahead. “Work. There’s no shortcut for success,” he said.  

Joven reminded the student artists of the importance of keeping the bigger picture in mind. “Kailangan naroon yung vision mo, at yung willingness na mag-aspire sa gusto mong goal.” (You need to have your vision, and the willingness to aspire to the goal you want.), he said.

Laoke described the Anima Art Space, which she also co-owns as a haven that supports the artists’ journeys. “Bilang estudyante na may critical na pag-iisip, hindi naghihinto ang tanong, pagsiyasat, at lumikha.” (As students with critical thinking, we never stop questioning, investigating, and creating.), she said.

The second Art Interact was held at the Orange Project in Bacolod City on October 26 that showcased creative ways to transform existing materials into unique pieces of art. 

The Bacolod Aliens Workshop also held by Leeroy New taught students how to create a wearable art installation by converting a variety of collected plastic bottle discards into biomorphic industrial alien growths that can be displayed and worn.

Experienced in diverse disciplines like film, theater, product design, and fashion, he explained his holistic approach as a way to connect with his audience on common ground because “people understand skills, technicalities, simplicity, craft---yung linguahe ng Pinoy (the language of the Filipino).”

 What is the Pilipinas Shell NSAC

The Pilipinas Shell NSAC is the longest of its kind in the country, now on its 55^th year that serve as a platform to celebrate the accomplishments of young visual artists and open to them various opportunities in the art world.  It has built a legacy of developing the local art scene by creating an opportunity for young talents to showcase their creativity regionally and nationally.

The 55th Pilipinas Shell’s National Student Arts Competition (NSAC) and its face-to-face Art Interact events throughout 2022 provided venues where master artists mentor and built the next generation of talents in Metro Manila, Bacolod, and Cebu. 

Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Corporate Relations, Serge Bernal encouraged the participants to use the uniting power of art to charge forward by showing who you are, what you value, and what you envision through art.

During the culminating event at the Ayala Museum, he thanked the young artists for showing that creativity and art are alive, well and growing in the country with Shell NSAC alumni who won in various categories that span generations mentored the students about their skills, craftsmanship, and how to succeed as professional artists.

Clodoveo Nacorda, Commissioner, Historical and Cultural Affairs Commission of Cebu City thanked Pilipinas Shell for mounting the event and told the student artists to hone their art, perfect their style, innovate, innovate, innovate.  You will join the ranks of the Cebuano masters in the future,” he said.

Haidee Emmie Palapar, Head of The Kabilin Center looked forward to the future and she hopes that this affair will be productive and enlightening to the young artists.  “We cannot wait for this to be a consistent and regular activity at The Kabilin Center,” she added.

To learn more about Shell NSAC, please visit www.shell.com.ph/juanartnation.  For enquiries, look for Anne Tiangco, anne@geisermaclang.com, GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, Inc., or call 0918-805-4624. (Photos: NSAC/FB/mbcnewman/Google Images)