PRINTS are mirror images of inked or painted designs transferred to paper, cloth, or wood. The same design can be produced in limited editions and so a work marked “20/30” means that it is the twentieth print from an edition of 30 prints of the same image.
Conrad Manila’s first “Of Art and Wine” exhibit this year features the Association of Pinoyprintmakers (AP)’s 20/30: A Limited Print Portfolio at the hotel’s Gallery C.
20/30 is the second commemorative print folio project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in partnership with the AP. Their first folio project was produced in 2014 titled 25@45, in celebration of CCP’s 45th anniversary.
The AP formerly known as the Printmakers Association of the Philippines (PAP) was established in 1969. The group was a regular partner under the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division. The CCP provided PAP with a printmaking studio at the back of the Folk Arts Theater in 1997 which the AP uses to this day. The CCP and AP continue their partnerships through regular programs such as annual exhibitions, demos at the CCP Pasinaya Festival, and workshops.
20/30: A Limited Edition Print Portfolio is a collection of 40 fine prints using traditional printmaking techniques by noted printmakers.
The Print Folio comes in two sets: Folio I with editions of 20 featuring prints by 15 artists, and Folio II with editions of 30 featuring prints by 25 artists.
The artists featured in this portfolio are or were affiliated with AP.
In Folio I contains etchings by National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Alfredo Juan Aquilizan, Virgilio Aviado, Ofelia Gelvezón-Téqui, and Jess Flores; woodcut prints by Elmer Borlongan; prints combined with etching and aquatint by Benjamin Torrado Cabrera, Imelda Cajipe Endaya, and Raul Isidro; mezzotint and engravings by Fil Delacruz; rubbercuts by the late Neil Doloricon, and Manuel Ocampo; a serigraph print by Rodolfo Samonte; a special restrike of a woodcut work by the late Rod Paras Perez dated 1963; and an etching by Juvenal Sansó from a restrike of a plate dated 1962.
In Folio 2 are woodcut prints by Ambie Abaño; rubbercuts by Leonard Aguinaldo, Suchin Teoh, Hershey Malinis, and Jonathan Olazo; serigraph prints by Mars Bugaoan, Salvador Ching, Noel EL Farol, Jun-Jun Sta. Ana, and Wesley Valenzuela; collographs by Kristen Cain; embossed method prints by Christina Quisumbing Ramilo, etchings by the late Rhoda Recto, Joey Cobcobo, Janos Delacruz, Eugene Jarque, and Henrielle Pagkaliwangan; prints combined with etching and aquatint by Anton Villaruel, Yas Doctor, Vilia Jefremovas, Angelo Magno, and Caroline Ongpin; detailed drypoint prints by Renan Ortiz and Radel Paredes; and sugarlift process on top of etching and aquatint by Lenore RS Lim.
At the exhibition opening, former AP president and 2015 National Artist nominee Filimon “Fil” Delacruz said that technical know-how of the reverse process makes the craft different from other mediums.
“What gets me excited about the process is that you work in reverse,” Mr. Delacruz told members of the press at the launch on March 1.
“Unlike when you do a painting, there is simultaneous gratification because you can see as you go along. [In printmaking], you cannot see the result until you go to press and print it. Sometimes it’s very rewarding. Sometimes it’s frustrating because it does not come out the way you want it,” he said.
For the folio project, Mr. Delacruz created a mezzotint etching of his signature “diwata” (fairy) image titled, Sulyap.
With the hotel’s regular art exhibitions, exhibition curator Nestor O. Jardin said that their goal is to encourage people to invest in artworks.
“Prints are more affordable than oil or acrylic [paintings]. The younger collectors or young people who are beginning to afford or appreciate acquiring art usually start with acquiring prints. Then, they subsequently graduate to other media,” Mr. Jardin said.
“It’s nice that they put it in their homes, but there are some buyers who buy to invest [in it],” he said.
The prints are for sale as Folio I at P420,000 and Folio II at P240,000.
Of Art and Wine: 20/30 at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C runs until April 2. The exhibit opening is presented in partnership with the Philippine Wine Merchants. For more information, call (632) 8833 9999 or e-mail conradmanila@conradhotels.com. To view the full art catalog, visit: https://bit.ly/OAAW2030Catalog. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman
