Words and Images Novice
Editing Gabrielle de la Cruz
“Experience the exceptional talent of 55 incredible artists that Novice has proudly spotlighted over the years,” opens Novice’s online announcement on its first-ever exhibit. The collective adds that Spotlight is not just a celebration of their five-year journey as a platform that encourages Filipinos to #keepcreating, but mostly “a tribute to the talented individuals” who have contributed to the platform’s growth since its foundation by young creatives from Nueva Vizcaya in 2019.
The show opened at Convenience Coffee House, Makati City, last June 28 and will run until September 29, 2024. A vibrant collection of visual art, illustrations, and photographs was curated by the team, showcasing the artistry and diversity of Filipino creatives they have featured through the years.
“Crane,” digital art by bloomer, and “Potted Sanity,” traditional art by Cheryl J. Owen
“The lineup for our debut exhibit is a solid one, and I believe that this is a testament to the flourishing creativity in our community,” teases Novice Creative and Managing Director Allen Esteban.
In a live episode of Di Na To Drowing Podcast, featured artist Jyun shared that he is personally glad and grateful that the exhibit features artists using varying sorts of mediums. “This show is less of an opportunity for me to showcase who I am and what I do, but more of a way to connect with other artists in the local scene. Through it, I can understand their craft, be inspired by different mediums, and discover how I can apply my learnings to my art moving forward.”
“SAGANA,” digital art by Reddsiram and “Open Your Heart” by graphic designer Jena Tornea/ar1sing
Postcard versions of the artworks will be available onsite, with proceeds dedicated to the creation of a mobile library that will help Novice further give back to the community. Limited copies of Novice prints will also be available.
“Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. Your works reflect the heart and soul of Filipino creativity in visual arts,” Esteban tells Novice’s featured artists. “We look forward to celebrating this milestone with everyone, and we are excited for you to experience all the art for yourselves.” •
Convenience Coffeehouse is located on the ground floor of The Atrium in Makati City. The exhibit will be open from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
