Pasulong by Anton V. Quisumbing explores loss, longing, and repair. Two years in the making, Quisumbing pieced together the remains of bronze propellers from boats damaged in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette in 2021. Curated by Miguel Rosales and designed by Caramel Creative Consultancy, the exhibition consists of twenty-nine compositions. The works suggest that moving […]
Manila Illustration Fair Partners With UP Fine Arts for Annual Event
Recommended Video
Tap to Unmute
Unmute
0:00
0:00
After a successful debut , the Manila Illustration Fair gears up for its second year of commemorating illustrators of the country. This year, the fair will be happening between September 13 to 15 at the Parola Gallery Atrium at UP College of Fine Arts (UP CFA).
The event aims to foster a community allowing artists to interact with fellow artists and enthusiasts in a shared space. This year’s event partnered with the Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair to strengthen regional ties even further.
“MIF2024 is dedicated to deepening the appreciation for illustration, an art form that intersects with, yet remains separate from, graphic design and fine art. Illustration transcends the written word, visualizing messages and telling stories in ways that resonate across cultures,” the press release said.
Advertisement
Its choice of the Parola Gallery at UP CFA in Quezon City belies the intent of the organizers to highlight the “importance of enriching Philippine society through art that reflects humanity and cultural heritage.”
“The Parola Art Gallery will be the blank canvas for [this year’s] Manila Illustration Fair,” head organizer Elle Shivers shares. “The team and I have worked closely with the UP College of Fine Arts to ensure that artists and patrons get to experience how illustration can bring people together and witness the endless application of the art form.”
The Art Market
Of course, visitors can anticipate a bustling scene for the three-day event. Its central draw is The Art Market, where event-goers can buy unique pieces from the 30 participating artists.
Advertisement
The artists come from all over the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It showcases the breadth of artistry in the region as a whole. The countries represented also show how illustrator fairs in general help artists network with fellow creatives to broaden their reach.
Participating Filipino artists include Alyssa Babasa, Ev Yu, Kieltokki, Artofpatoo, JCdelic, and Patricia Anne Salonga. Three Thai artists—Ping Sasinan, Nnene.iie, and pi-near—and two Indonesian artists—Chenny Aviana and Bethania Brigitta—will also be involved in The Art Market.
A jury of Filipino and Asian artists shortlisted the pool of the Art Market illustrators.
Advertisement
They are Felix Ng from Singapore, Hiroaki Shono from Japan, and Sunny Gho from Indonesia. The four Filipino jurors include Happy Garaje from Cebu, Raxenne Maniquiz from Bulacan, Studio Dialogo, and Dan Matutina, both from Metro Manila.
Workshops and Activities
Beyond the Art Market, the Fair planned simultaneous activities to occur alongside it for the three days of activity. This includes workshops and lectures, as well as different interactive booths.
Lectures run through the broad concerns of artists everywhere. Day 1 focuses on a discussion catered toward finding one’s style as an artist. A discussion on “studio work and independent practice” dictates the second day. The third focuses on “Building Community through Illustration” and the different avenues circulating through the global illustration fair network.
The workshops throughout the three days include one about illustrating for children by Ang INK, a comics workshop with Rob Cham, screen-painting with Nobody Clothing, and a portfolio review for aspiring illustrators on the first day.
Advertisement
Visitors, meanwhile, can enjoy things like a temporary tattoo booth, an interactive mural wall, live portraits sketching, and a sticker exchange for their own pleasure within the event.
The 2024 Manila Illustration Fair will be happening at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Parola Gallery Atrium at the College of Fine Art from September 13-15. A fee of PhP 100 will be issued for visitors, except for PWDs and students of UP CFA.
Related reading: Manila Interior Design Summit 2024: A Celebration of Collaboration
Advertisement
SoFA Design Institute has established itself as one of the Philippines’ leading centers for creative education. It is dedicated to equipping students with the skills, perspective, and confidence needed to succeed in design both locally and internationally. Last March 11, this vision was brought into sharper focus through the launch of SoFA’s academic partnership with […]
Second homes have shifted from occasional escapes to extensions of everyday life. Increasingly, they are expected to offer the same level of comfort and clarity as a primary residence—while remaining within reach. In this context, a new type of development is emerging: the design-led resi-resort. In Calatagan, Batangas, Costa Calatagan introduces Ortigas Land’s first coastal […]
Advertisement
Based on an August 2025 report from Research and Markets, the Philippine construction industry is facing a severe labor deficit driven by a widening skills gap. This leaves many projects vulnerable to human error, delays, and coordination challenges. In a country struggling with the slow adoption of advanced technology and a shortage of skilled labor, […]
In a platform that aims to overturn hierarchies and reimagine societies, a Filipina designer secures a spot at Milan Design Week. This proves that Kamayan, the traditional Filipino practice of communal eating by hand, can be recoded into a futuristic ritual. Every Milan Design Week, BASE Milano becomes a ground for eccentric ideas, transforming into […]
Cafés are a prominent feature in the social lives of Filipinos. In Katipunan, they are found on almost every corner. Beyond the mall, the café is one of the most dominant forms of a third place in the Philippines. In Metro Manila, where green spaces and public libraries are sparse, and in-between, cafés have to […]
Advertisement
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]