Enlightening art criticism workshop by UP Art Studies

For some time in early May, I was back in school mode to attend the Art Criticism and Visual Literacy workshop of the Art Studies Department of the University of the Philippines.  

The workshop drew quite a crowd, with some participants even flying in from the Visayas region.  The interest on the workshop was quite a revelation, even to the Art Studies group.  

And it wasn't a surprise to find out that the workshop was sort of related to last year's big Kulo fiasco.  Apart from art practitioners, researchers, and teachers, the Art Studies group also wanted bloggers and media practitioners to join in the workshop.  So that when another Kulo comes along, they would able to give a more enlightened reading of situation.

back to school!

Of course, being back in school also meant going back to an old habit of mine - doodling while listening. 

I've a lot of take-away from the affair. Encountering the work of Alice and Lucinda is one.  Another is meeting the work of Filipino visual artist Roberto Feleo.  On the second day of the workshop, we went on museum tours, and some of his Virinas were on display at the Vargas Museum. 

Roberto Feleo's Virinas.  Photo from Manila Art Blogger

When I went home that day, I researched about of his work.  The texture of his art works appeals to me - the combination of Filipino folklore and craft, specifically. Someday, I'd like to behold his entire series of work on Virinas.