Friday, July 31, 2009

An Insult to All Filipino Artists

As a Filipino comics illustrator, I vehemently oppose and protest the awarding of the title National Arist to Carlo J. Caparas for Visual Arts and Film.

Clearly, in this regard, Visual Arts and Film are two separate categories. "Visual Arts" therefore refers to Caparas' work in comics.

Caparas has *never* illustrated any of the stories he wrote. With every character he created, and ever story he wrote, he did it in collaboration with another artist. Panday and Pieta? Illustrated by Steve Gan. Bakekang? Illustrated by Mar Santana. Kroko? Illustrated by Hal Santiago.

How can someone who is *not* a visual artist ever be awarded the title of National Artist for Visual Arts?

It's patently ridiculous, illogical, and insulting to every Filipino visual artist, specially those who deserve this award more, including Francisco V. Coching and Larry Alcala, who should have been made National Artists long ago.

1 comment:

  1. i really am not sure on the criteria for choosing a national artist, but given your argument, i think its makes a lot of sense.. apples to apples. Im a frustrated artist,its my dream to be a comic book illustrator, if i made it in your ranks, id be pissed too.

    -pmm012

    visti me at http://paolomarcosmanalo.blogspot.com/

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