Art as creative outcry: ARTablado presents ‘Kalampag’

There is something about kalampag as a title of an art exhibit.   Art, after all, is rattling against and challenging the status quo, and artworks come from an emotional stirring.

Frederick Epistola states, “Kalampag refers to awakening one’s soul and thinking. As a group, we aim to create a meaningful and beautiful message that will break out these creatives’ expressions and break through barriers by using our artworks to communicate to the audience, proudly and loudly announcing our message to the world.”

Kalampag is a sort of union of three batches of art groups that were born out of the Art Show Philippines (ASP) Online Mentoring Program, which was started in 2021 and reached out to contemporary visual artists dedicated to honing their skills and pursuing their passion in the field of visual arts.

Epistola, the ASP’s lead mentor and head curator, explains how the selected mentees undergo months of instruction, feedback, and assessment to improve their art style and artistic skills. “Through the program, the artists connect with a supportive community of fellow artists, which, after completion, become equipped with individual artistic styles and powerful narratives that can take their art to the next level.”

The three batches of art groups that are the products of this program are Kalatas (2021), Marilag (2022), and Alpas (2023).

Robinsons Land ARTablado will present the resulting artworks from this mentorship program. Kalampag is on view until May 31 at ARTablado, upper ground floor, Main Mall of Robinsons Antipolo.

Epistola describes the unique qualities of each batch:

“Kalatas mentees are dauntless in showcasing their individuality and message as creatives through unconventional styles, provoking themes, breakthrough processes or unique mediums.

Kalatas member Cherry DV Agoyaoy shares the benefits of joining the online mentoring program. She says, “The creation process has become truly methodological for me. It has immersed me more in making this journey seem easier and flow better.”

Mai Pimentel De Dios agrees. “Through the program, I found my art style, learning to work gracefully under pressure and not being afraid to explore.”

Epistola points out that no woman in Marilag shares even the tiniest personality trait or artistic identity with any other woman; each is unique. “As a result, when we work together as a team, everyone knows that if we reach a consensus, it signifies that whatever we produced was done with all our energy and drive.”

Bie Aya of Marilag says, “The artist’s inner growth begins with the strength of the foundation, ensuring a successful navigation of a lifelong artistic journey. (The program) doesn’t hand everything to you but rather guides you in comprehending the movement of the world to which you belong.”

Alpas is a collective of artists dedicated to breaking free from conventional norms and overcoming barriers to self-expression through their art. Epistola continues, “The mentees aim to spark change and inspire transformation within the community, using creativity for social impact and cultural exchange.”

Deziree Balgos (Dikya) explains, “Reflecting on my journey, I realize that the mentoring program was about more than just creating art;  it was about personal growth and discovering my true passion.”

For Bets Beltran-Laguipo (Bets BL), the platform boosted her confidence and belief in herself as an artist. “Beyond learning new skills and gaining knowledge about art, one of the most important things I’ve learned is to use art as an instrument for positive change and a voice to inspire future generations.”

Epistola launched the program to “teach aspiring artists the foundations of art, help them develop their concepts and narratives, polish their techniques, discover their artistic voice, and eventually manage their art brand and professional career.”

ARTablado shares that vision. The people behind Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) believe in the ingenuity and artistry of Filipinos. RLC has allocated spaces at Robinsons malls in Antipolo and Ortigas to hold exhibitions for art practitioners who deserve to showcase their hard work, grit, and perseverance. ARTablado’s impact has been instantaneous for art community members who have been pining for a platform where every artist — from individual practitioners to members of art groups — gets the chance to shine.  

“To me, ARTablado isn’t just a creative space; it’s a venue of hope for artists, a place where they can confidently nurture and showcase their talents,” concludes Epistola. “ARTablado has always been a supportive partner in opening doors for new artists.”

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Established in 2020, Robinsons Land ARTablado, a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado,” is Robinsons Land’s very own stage for showcasing Filipino ingenuity and creativity. This platform allows emerging artists to express themselves through art freely and paves the way to greater recognition of their talent and hard work. To date, ARTablado has mounted numerous exhibitions and hosted over 300 artists.