MANILA, Philippines—Long before museum walls became a place of prominence, or the space of a white cube consecrated as a hallowed territory, many forget that the highest forms of art have the humblest beginnings.
Artists sold art as a means to live, then perhaps to gain a bit of fame along the way. Formal art schools were reserved for wealthier, more genteel artists. Renaissance writer Giorgio Vasari once said that a true artist should be impeccably dressed, as painting with oil was a delicate task, where one painted with poise, grace and cleanliness.
However, not all artists had the same gracious start to their careers. Let us consider Caravaggio. Ask any one who has mildly paid attention to art history classes and they will almost mouth off that Caravaggio was the master of chiaroscuro.
Poor Caravaggio’s fame came 300 years after his death. In his life, Caravaggio spent his free time painting, using real models from the street and painting scenes from everyday life. He spent his not-so-free time repeatedly being arrested and imprisoned. He confessed to the murder of an opponent in tennis, whom he had accused of cheating, and was placed in jail (for what we would term these days as pedophilia) and eventually died a persecuted outlaw. Caravaggio found many enemies through his paintings, which at the time were considered offensive, prompting Nicolas Poussin, who arrived shortly after Caravaggio’s death, to say, “He came to destroy painting.”
The little anecdote on Caravaggio is to remind would-be collectors that art is not valued on the price tag that dealers, or in some cases the artists , attach to them. To find real art in a painting is to find something that strikes an emotion in you, even if it doesn’t matter to anyone else. Obnoxiously priced paintings, with very little talent to go along with it, is what turns off many people from stepping into a gallery and mustering the courage to ask “what does this mean?,” only to be greeted by the gallery assistant’s blank stare.
After living in London for a number of years, I came to the realization that art was accessible to everyone. The great masterpieces of Leonardo, Van Gogh, Titian, and all the great masters sat in museums that people could enter for free, where guides were paid to tell people everything they wanted to know, and where every question was entertained. The Frieze Art fair and the Affordable Art Fairs were virtual breeding grounds for the masters of tomorrow.
Trickie Colayco-Lopa and Lisa Ongpin-Periquet are two women who had enjoyed looking at art abroad with no boundaries. Now on its third year, these ladies are bringing back the country’s affordable art fair, Art in the Park, to Salcedo Park next Saturday. Several galleries and distinguished artists are participating in the fair, including 13 artists awardees such as Brenda Fajardo, Alfredo Esquillo, Karen Flores, Manny Garibay, and Mark Justiniani. Art Informal and Nineveh Gallery will also be participating.
Distinguished artists such as Mario de Rivera, Ral Arrogante, Lawrence Borsoto, Anthony Palomo, and newer artists Joseph Banez and Jaspher Penuliar will have works on display. All works are priced under P20,000, ensuring first time buyers a guiltless spree, and collectors to find a bargain. Art collectors and those expressing their first interests in art are free to enjoy the works in the park. To complete the laid back lazy daisy attitude of the fair, a jazz band led by Junji Lerma awaits to serenade passersby on this art-full Saturday.
The best art doesn’t always mean the most expensive, book piece, and “branded” pieces that dealers attach the hype to. Remember that Caravaggio’s genius was pronounced to the world only in 1920, when critic Robert Longhi found papers that properly attributed works to the artist. After his death many of his works were credited to other people. Longhi declared that without Caravaggio, the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and la Tour would have never been the same.
In every art history book, Caravaggio is among the artists who contributed to the changes in painting. Today his works are priceless, locked away behind museum gates, a far cry from the caverns and taverns where they were painted. What you might find in the relaxed setting of a beautiful park on a picturesque Saturday afternoon could be your very own masterpiece.
Art in the Park will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
