Unit 3: Recognizing the GAMABA and the National Artists

Unit 3

Recognizing the GAMABA and

the National Artists
Introduction
Art works are produced by either an artist or an artisan. Each has his/her own role
in the art arena. However, how could we distinguish an artist from that of an artisan?
How could we know that the art works we are enjoying are created by an artist or
artisan? Undoubtedly, people get confused of these two terms.

Further, recognizing one’s contribution to the development of the Philippine arts

simply shows how we treasure and value our Filipino culture. To give honor for the
artists’ efforts, two major awards (Order ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining or Order
of National Artists and Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living
Treasures Award) are given.

This unit is designed for you to get acquainted with the personages who made
names in world of arts in the country.

Unit Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
a. Distinguish Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award from National
Artists Award;
b. Conduct a research 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.

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;

63
 Unit 3: Recognizing the GAMABA and the National Artists

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

64
 Unit 3: Recognizing the GAMABA and the National Artists

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
Fernando C. Amorsolo homeland, portraits and WWII war scenes.

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

1892, 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
Untitled (Palay Maiden)
blushing girl.” For Amorsolo, the Filipino beauty http://masterpieces.asemus.museum/
was an important symbol of national identity. masterpiece/detail.nhn?objectId=10429
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.

65
 Unit 3: Recognizing the GAMABA and the National Artists

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
Juan Luna
styles of art. 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
recogniti
Spoliarium on among the
https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-analysis-of-the-painting- connoisseurs and art
Spoliarium-by-Juan-Luna
critics. It was praise so
much that even Jose
Rizal, Philippine’s
national hero,
prepared a speech for
Juan Luna, addressing
two things from his
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.

66
 Unit 3: Recognizing the GAMABA and the National Artists

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.

One featured
artisan who
intended to
showcase Filipino
craftsmanship is
Tina Maristela-
Ocampo. 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.
Tina Maristela-Ocampo

67
 Unit 3: Recognizing the GAMABA and the National Artists

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-weavers-
craft-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.

68
 Unit 3: Recognizing the GAMABA and the National Artists

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.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/v1/01/23/16/look-dumagat-artisans-turn-driftwood-
into-artworks

69