A Collective's Existential Question

The Philippine art scene today is experiencing a remarkable surge in activity. Exhibitions seem to open almost every week, sometimes several at a time, while more artists are finding their way into the market. This growing momentum has been accompanied by an expanding collector base, new gallery spaces, independent art initiatives, and the increasing accessibility of digital platforms.

A significant milestone in this evolution was Ronald Ventura's record-breaking auction of Grayground at Sotheby's Hong Kong in April 2011. The painting fetched HK 8.42 Million, approximately US$ 1.08Million at the time, making Ventura the first Filipino contemporary artist to achieve such a landmark auction result. It also set a record for contemporary Southeast Asian art at auction, bringing unprecedented international attention to the commercial potential of Filipino contemporary art.

In the years that followed, the local art scene continued to expand. With the growing visibility of Philippine artists, it seems that anyone with the ability and inclination to draw, paint, or create can now venture into an artistic career, whether through established galleries, independent exhibition spaces, or self-managed online platforms. The barriers to entering the art market have become considerably lower, and opportunities to exhibit one's work have multiplied.

Yet, amid this seemingly endless stream of artistic activity, one question continues to occupy us: Beyond the desire to create and the pursuit of artistic recognition, what is the purpose of making art?

Our collective believes in the power of visual art to reveal, emphasize, and call attention to the most pressing issues affecting our culture and society. Among these, we have chosen to focus on environmental concerns. Art has the capacity to provoke thought, challenge established perspectives, and reshape how people understand the world around them. As Silaw Artist Collective, we believe we can use our collective voice and creative energies to draw attention to issues that directly affect our communities. Art need not offer all the answers, but it can ask the questions that society too often overlooks.

Beyond our continuing support for the cause of Masungi Georeserve, we are embarking on another quest: to shine a spotlight on the growing crisis of plastic pollution in our oceans and the Philippines' significant contribution to this global problem. Through The Plastocene, we hope to bring this uncomfortable reality closer to public consciousness and encourage a deeper reflection on our collective responsibility toward the environment.