MANILA – The year 2020 may have been devastating for many but organizers and participants of arts fair, ManilArt, proved that there is hope, through a display of inspiring and colorful artworks.
ManilArt, the longest-running art exhibit in the country, was held on Dec. 9-13 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier.
Twenty-three galleries were tilted in the event featuring some of the country’s globally recognized artists.
Ella Hipolito, a visual artist from San Mateo in Rizal, was among the talents who showcased their artworks in ManilArt 2020.
Her display, which she dubbed as “Wisp series,” started in 2018 and was originally called “Phantasm series”.
“They were inspired by my fixation on things that are magical. I fancy fantasy. Betta or the fighting fish also plays a role in the creation of my wisp series. I think of them in my wisp’s every curve,” she told the Philippine News Agency.
D2 Gallery houses Ella Hipolito’s artworks titled the Wisp series.
In English folklore, Will-o’-the-wisp is an atmospheric ghost light seen by travelers at night.
Hipolito added that she sees hope and positivity amidst all the ‘darkness’.
“People’s consciousness are preoccupied with the negativities caused by the pandemic, I guess the common denominator between the art collector & the artist is that art being a mentally therapeutic approach,” she said, adding that she got quite an inquiry on her works.
Her works were in the same gallery with Melissa Yeung Yal, Katrina Pallon, Ronna Manansala, Valen Valero, Rac Bautista, Jeff Dahilan, Pancho Piano, and Fernando Sena.
The organizers of the ManilArt sought to reach out to everyone affected by the health crisis.
They said it is their vision to ignite hope for the people viewing the exhibit at the comforts of their homes.
Unlike the tradition, this year’s exhibit has been put up online, ManilArt director Tessa Rayos del Sol said during their virtual streaming.
“We have utilized the digital platform to reach more audiences this time,” she said.
People can access the show via a 360-degree walkthrough of the event on their website: www.manilartfair.com.
Their art workshops are posted on their Facebook account @manilart.