At The Hours After: An Oddefy Creative Exhibit last week, we explored the significance of these communal creative spaces for Filipino artists.
In the heart of bustling Metro Manila, where the constant rush of daily life often drowns out the softer whispers of creativity, lies a sanctuary for Filipino artists—a communal creative space where imagination runs wild and free. Exhibits like The Hours After provide a platform for creatives to unveil art that flourishes beyond the constraints of their everyday tasks.
From paintings to poetry, we discovered a celebration that inspires a roster of artists from Oddefy. It’s a testament to the power of spaces that transcend the ordinary, allowing artists to explore and showcase their unfiltered, true selves. With this in mind, we turned to the artists themselves to uncover what communal creative spaces truly mean for Filipino creatives. Their insights provide a deeper understanding of how these spaces foster a sense of belonging in the ever-evolving landscape of art and self-expression.
A Comfortable Step Into the Spotlight
For emerging artists, communal creative spaces offer a crucial stepping stone into the art world, providing a supportive environment that eases the transition from private creation to public presentation. Jezca Enriquez, the artist behind Maximum Capacity and Early Retirement, explains, ‘Personally, it’s the support I needed as a starting artist. Biglang nagkaroon ng ganitong exhibit yung agency namin—and if you get to be featured sa exhibit na hindi ka familiar sa mga tao around you, mas nakakakaba pero dito, the community is puno ng tao na nakakasama ko na for work everyday.’
Enriquez continues, ‘It’s less intimidating and a very comfortable way to ease into the idea of showcasing my works in an exhibit.’ Enriquez’s experience highlights how communal spaces transform the intimidating process of exhibiting into a more approachable and supportive experience.
A Platform for Underappreciated Artistry
In the Philippines, where the creative scene often struggles for recognition, communal spaces provide a crucial opportunity for artists to gain the appreciation they truly deserve. Jam Braganza, the poet behind Bloody Love and Better Half, shares, “In the Philippines, creatives are underappreciated, especially paintings and literary pieces. Communal creative spaces like this provide an opportunity for us to showcase what we can do and actually convince more people to give appreciation and support for creative works.”
For artists like Braganza, these spaces are more than mere exhibition venues; they are essential platforms that ignite support and appreciation for their craft.
When New Talents Need Friends
Grey Santos, the filmmaker behind The Story of Strength and Struggle: Fabio Makisig, reflects, “It means the world for us because the industry is not always favorable to new talents. So exhibits like this, where we get a venue to showcase our capabilities—in an initiation kind of way—really help us out. I know we shouldn’t be ‘paid in exposure,’ but there is always a benefit to it, especially if your work gets exposed to the right people.”
He continues, “The world isn’t always friendly to new talents; that’s why new talents need friends.” Santos’s perspective underscores the essential role of these communal spaces in providing artists with a supportive community that can help them thrive in the industry.
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