Metrobank Art & Design Excellence Gears Anew in Search for Exceptional Painters and Sculptors

Written by Laarnie Luna on February 6, 2020. Posted in Art & Design, News, Press Release

In line with the celebration of the National Arts Month, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) launched the 2020 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) through the kick-off event of the annual Art MADE Public. The launching was led by MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña, SM Supermalls senior vice president for Marketing Millie Dizon, and Fundacion Sanso director Ricky Francisco as guest of honor. (Photo courtesy of SM Supermalls)

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) has launched the 36th edition of its excellence recognition program for the visual arts – the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence or MADE. Through the annual “Art MADE Public,” a series of art events were lined up in select venues in Luzon (SM Angono, Rizal), Visayas (Gallery Orange, Bacolod City), Mindanao (SM Lanang Premiere, Davao), and NCR (S’ Maison, Pasay City).

Guided by the theme “SPECTRUM: The Art of Possibilities,” MADE challenges Filipino artists to channel their ingenuity in creating a spectrum of works that represent Filipino artistic excellence. In this realm of infinite possibilities, masterpieces are made. For decades, MADE has empowered artists to imagine, discover, and unleash their full potential.

On February 1, a kick-off event and in celebration of National Arts Month was held at S’Maison in Pasay City, graced by MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña and SM Supermalls senior vice president for Marketing Millie Dizon, with Fundacion Sanso director Ricky Francisco as guest of honor.

Held in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), SM Supermalls, and United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Art MADE Public will go around the country to promote Philippine art and heritage consisting of several activities such as art exhibits, lectures, and workshops. The lectures will feature renowned Filipino artists, architectural and heritage practitioners as resource speakers. These venues, at the same time, will serve as source of information and guidelines for interested painters and sculptors who plan to join the MADE Recognition Programs for Painting and Sculpture.

A SHOWCASE OF MADE’S FINESTS

This year’s exhibit showcased the recent artworks of past MADE awardees, highlighting new art forms and styles, unique themes, and exceptional works that reflect the journey of the artists. Featured works included that of 2019 MADE awardees Jayme Lucas (“Sugat ng Tahanan”), Christian Maglente(Untitled), Cedrick De La Paz (“15/30”), Dave Alcon (“Distinct), and Arman Arago (“Ang Tanda ng Bata”).

Recent masterpieces of Leeroy New (“Sigbin with Tree”), Mark Justiniani (“Hole”), Elmer Borlongan (“Record Digger”), Alfredo Esquillo (“Laban ng Loob 2”), and Anton Del Castillo (“In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted”) were also part of the exhibit, including those of Raffy Napay (“I Live Here”) and Mark Andy Garcia (“Existence”).

On the other hand, the lectures featured the talks of Eskinita Gallery owner and visual artist Alfredo Esquillo and WTA Architect + Design Studio principal architect and Anthology Festival director William Ty.

A CALL FOR FILIPINO PAINTERS AND SCULPTORS

The MADE Painting Recognition Program is open to all Filipino painters aged 18-35 years old who have not staged a solo exhibition. The MADE Sculpture Recognition Program, on the other hand, is open to all professional and amateur Filipino sculptors who have not won in any Sculpture competitions of MADE in the past. The deadline for submission of entries is on/or before May 8, 2020. Interested participants may register online through bit.ly/MADE2020_paintingform and bit.ly/MADE2020_sculptureform.

Two (2) grand awardees for the Painting Recognition Program and one (1) grand awardee for the Sculpture Recognition Program will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges. They will each receive PhP 500,000.00 worth of financial assistance and fund for artistic development, plus the “Mula” glass trophy designed by visual artist and MADE awardee Noel El Farrol. The grand awardees will be recognized during Metrobank’s 57th anniversary in September and will also become members of the MADE-Network of Winners (MADE-NOW), the alumni organization of past MADE awardees which implements pay-it-forward projects that benefit marginalized sectors.

Established in 1984 by the late Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George Ty Siao Kian, MADE has served as a platform for discovery for the most passionate and persistent creative visionaries in the country. To date, more than 400 visual artists and design professionals have been recognized. A majority of them are now carving significant names in the local and even international art and design scenes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Art MADE Public runs from February 1 to April 10, 2020, to be staged in various cultural institutions and SM Supermalls S’ Maison, Pasay City (February 1-7); Gallery Orange, Bacolod City (February 15-21); SM Angono, Rizal (March 19-25), and SM Lanang Premier, Davao (April 3-10). Registered architects who will attend the lectures shall get the Professional Regulatory Commission-Continuing Professional Development (PRC-CPD) accreditation.

For further details, please contact Badet Macaraig at telephone number: (02) 8898-8094; email: therese.macaraig@metrobank.com.ph; or visit MADE Facebook page @MADECompetition.