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A young artist from Antipolo, Rizal, gained praises after posting his minimalist art, which got eliminated from the GSIS Painting Competition 2021.
Jadie Regala Pasaylo uploaded the artwork on his facebook page and immediately gained attention as it reached more than 4,600 shares as of writing.
Maluwag ang Kaginhawaan, the title of his acrylic painting that consisted mostly of a plain background with only a tiny illustration of a can of sardines at the bottom right corner of the frame.
In his post, he explained that he aimed to depict the same amount of help that those with power give to those who are in dire need.
“Minimalism pinaka the best na style para madepict kung gaano din ka-minimal ang binibigay na ayuda nang nasa itaas,” he wrote.
“Naniniwala akong hindi kailangan ng maganda lang sa mata at makukulay na pintura ang kailangang gamitin para makagawa ng isang magandang sining kundi kung gaano kalaman at kalawak ang kwento sa likod ng isang artwork. Katulad ng isang nanggagalit na pulang sardinas ay ganon din kaanghang ang pakikibaka ng bawat Pilipino para marinig ang boses ng mga nasa ibaba. Sabay sabay nating paingayin ang latang binigay ng mga mapanglamang.”
People are the usual casualties of the natural occurrences. They are caught off guard, left jeopardized, and forsaken…
Posted by Jadie Regala Pasaylo on Monday, May 3, 2021
Netizens reacted to Pasaylo’s art and praised it for its meaning and relevance to the current situation. One of which is from actress Agot Isidro.
Can we auction this painting?
So much truth in this one. https://t.co/6iwQvIGZ9y
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) May 6, 2021
Someone also implied that he’s willing to buy the art.
I love it. Take my money. https://t.co/RKJkjSTVjl
— Eleandro Rivera (@ElyJelvin) May 7, 2021
Aside from the art, they also commended him for speaking up.
Also note : if an artist who does not have “connections” and privilege to be able to engage with the market bravely critiqued an institutional art contest like this.. then we do not have any reason to be “neutral” as artists.
Speak the fuck up. https://t.co/VpBRySJM3R
— Ginoe (@hubineer) May 6, 2021
“I just love how a single can of sardines became so controversial and disturbing for the government.”
I just LOVE how a single can of sardines became so controversial and disturbing for the govt. Truth hurts doesn't it? https://t.co/zqLYuY4zZG
— minmin (@jasmineselacov) May 7, 2021
Pasaylo was also praised for his explanation.
i had goosebumps reading the caption, grabee https://t.co/q5FACAeplu
— no more melon cake (@lanz_aaronn) May 7, 2021
On the other hand, twitter users have pointed out the fact that the art was not qualified to make it to the semi-finals.
https://twitter.com/riri_bkpp/status/1390594307921379331
“They can’t handle the truth,” another Netizen wrote.
https://twitter.com/h2gkm0_/status/1390276933796077569
GSIS Art Competition’s theme for the Representational category is “Alay na Ginhawa sa Panahon ng Pandemya.”
In an interview with ANCX, Pasaylo admitted that he has never gotten any ‘ayuda’ since the pandemic started.
“Ang naalala ko lang nanghingi lang ako ng delata sa kapitbahay last year dahil busy nga ako kakapinta, hindi ko namamalayang may bigayang bigas at delata pala sa labas.”
