A political circus is not complete without art as its finishing touch.
The art of politics never ceases to inspire creative works.
Artists today are taking on more and more political issues in their art, according to “How Art Works” a book in association with The National Gallery, London. Some art is even deliberately political in terms of promoting a particular leader or political group.
Such art known as propaganda has seen a rise in popularity in recent elections, such as the presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the United States.
Locally, art has also taken shape in the context of Philippine politics.
Here are artworks based on or inspired by the presidential candidates in the 2022 elections.
Jef Albea
Fashion designer and artist Jef Albea has sculpted porcelain on brass metal armature and resin for his piece “Maria Leonor. He captioned the piece “Some Leaders Are Born Women.”
Although Albea did not explicitly mention Vice President Leni Robredo, the presidentiable’s first name is Maria Leonor and her campaign color is pink. Moreover, his caption bears resemblance to Robredo’s quip that “the best man for the job is a woman.”
Juanito Torres
Contemporary social realist painter Juanito Torres featured the leading presidential candidates in his art exhibit “Ready…Get Set…Go…” The exhibit is a “tragicomic” critique of the presidential race of the upcoming elections.
Six works using oil on canvas are entitled “That’s Entertainment,” “Suntok sa Buwan,” “Bulag sa Pagbabago,” “Cartoon Heroes,” “Ang Probinsyano,” and “Ready… Get Set…”
Kristine Lim
“Artist on a mission” Kristine Lim was commissioned to do portraits of the presidentiables, one after another. These include the likes of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
“Capturing their essence was just a simple natural process of choosing to immortalize them from scenarios they are most comfortable in. Not staged or not photos where they are projecting to the camera. I’m grateful and humbled that people warmly accepted my style and technique in creating portraits,” Lim tells Lifestyle Asia.
Joneil Severino
Giant leaf artist Joneil Severino made plant portraits of the leading presidential candidates.
@giantleafart.ph @mannypacquiaoofficial #mannypacquiao #pacquiao #fypシ #foryou #art #trending ♬ Paro Paro G – DJ Sandy
Severino also made time-lapse tutorial videos showing the process of making each candidate’s giant leaf portrait.
@giantleafart.ph Ganda ng kanta 💝😭😍 #kulayrosasangbukas ♬ Rosas – Nica del Rosario
Photos by Juanito Torres and Kristine Lim