Paper Cutting Art showcased at the Prism Gallery

After its successful InK (Ilustrador ng Kabataan) on Paper Exhibit last June, the Prism Gallery is showcasing the art of paper cutting this month of August 2015.

The launch last Saturday was well-attended by art enthusiasts, aspiring artists and paper cutting exhibitors alike.

The art of paper cutting have long been part of Philippine crafts. This visual art form utilizes scissors or craft knife to cut shapes on paper. Other than banderitas (buntings) and the parol (a traditional star-shaped lantern), this paper cutting activity is reflected in the art of pabalát (wrappers used to sheat the pastillas de leche) among other traditional sweet products.

The Prism Gallery brought together the talented people who specialize in such classic paper techniques plus modern-day papercutters who have mastered the art with perfection.

It is easy to cut paper but it takes deft craftspeople to yield exacting lines and delicate patterns on paper medium.

The Prism Gallery aims to provide a venue for new artists to showcase their talents according to its founder, Miss Marigold Tantoco. She herself used to paint in her childhood. Though she took the other road to business instead, her desire for the arts still burns inside. In fact, Miss Gold went back to take up Industrial Design from UP College of Fine Arts in 1990. Though she gave this up for a marketing career in Australia, her passion for arts would take her to gallery visits whenever possible.

After a career change, she established the Prism Gallery. And now the rest is history.




Featured Artists / Works of Art

Artworks included in this month's exhibit were made by artists Liza Flores, Mansy Abesamis, Lala Gallardo, Badz Magsumbol and Pergy Acuña.

Mansy Abesamis is a young, Manila-based paper artist who manages her owns a brick-and-mortar craft shop.

Dolores Ramos-Libunao is one of the few remaining pastillas papercutters of San Miguel, Bulacan. Her painstaking pieces of art are displayed at the Cut and Paste Exhibit.

Pergy Acuna is an illustrator and craft artist who hails from Antipolo City. She has done various illustration works on children’s books for Adarna House, Lampara Books and OMF Lit. She is also and active Ilustrador ng Kabataan member.

Lala Gallardo, took up painting at UP Diliman College of Fine Arts. After being exposed to the "pabalat craft" of Bulacan, she began incorporating paper cutting techniques in her mixed media artworks.

Badz Magsumbol, founder of the Papercutters Guild of the Philippines, is a full time fine artist. He serves as a resource person for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to conduct art workshops and art talks among the different art groups.

Liza Flores, an award-winning illustrator and professional designer, is drawn to the challenge of the paper cutting process and its potential. She is also a member of Illustrador ng Kabataan (InK).

Join in the celebration of art and craft at the Prism Gallery. Do visit them soon. The Cut and Paste: A Papercut Exhibition runs until August 30, 2015.

PRISM GALLERY
G/F Island Tower Condominium
239 Salcedo Street
Legaspi Village
Phone (02) 886-3947