The Next Wave

It is only the sixth year of the Ateneo Art Awards and it is quickly growing into a much-coveted award by Filipino artists 35-years-old and younger. From granting just one art residency in Australia, it now grants four with the addition of programs in Indonesia, Singapore and New York. The exhibit and awarding ceremony venues are always high-profile, which is one reason why it has been very successful. The first four years, it was at the Power Plant Mall in Makati City. In 2008 and this year, it was at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City. I finally decided to satisfy my curiosity and attended last week's ceremony for the 2009 awards. I took this from a higher floor quite early when people were just starting to arrive for the cocktails. Two hours later, the cordoned-off area was jam-packed with artists and society people and one could hardly move around, much less appreciate the artwork. When the exhibit moves to the more peaceful Ateneo Art Gallery, I'll try to visit and take pictures of the winning pieces, but in the meantime, photos of the twelve in the short list are here.