TWO THOMASIAN artists have been named recipients of the 2024 Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Thirteen Artists Awards, which recognizes the country’s outstanding young visual artists.
UST advertising arts alumnus Derek Tumala and psychology alumna Jel Suarez were part of the roster of 13 contemporary artists presented by the CCP in a press conference on Dec. 4.
The CCP recognized Tumala for his “ecological world-making,” highlighting how his works explored “realms of science and nature” while reflecting on the idea of interconnectedness.”
“As an artist, I think CCP’s [Thirteen Artists Awards] is one of the most prestigious awards here,” Tumala told the Varsitarian. “It means a lot for my practice. It kind of gives me this ability or platform.”
Tumala’s works merge futurism with ecology, delving into humanity’s evolving relationship with nature and addressing the climate crisis. His works often feature digitally rendered flora and landscape.
“I’m a very curious person. I think of something and I want that thinking to materialize,” he explained. “I build my world to articulate something as a whole.”
“I’m kind of inventing a new world or new aesthetic by using different kinds of materials and working with a lot of people. I’ve been working with so many types of people: scientists, fashion people, filmmakers, so kind of create what I call worldmaking,” he added.
Meanwhile, Suarez was feted for her collage art, which the CCP described as “informed by the physicality of things, being composed of natural objects that she fortuitously finds in surplus shops, books and wooden objects, resulting in encounters of reconfigured archives.”
A self-taught artist, she initially pursued a career in childhood education while exhibiting her works on the side. Eventually, she transitioned to full-time art practice and has since earned several accolades, including a finalist nod for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize in Hong Kong.
Suarez recently completed an artist residency at the Leipgiz International Art Programme in Germany.
The CCP’s Thirteen Artists Awards is a triennial program celebrating emerging Filipino artists who advance Philippine contemporary visual art.
Notable Thomasian recipients of the award in past years include painter-printmaker Janos Delacruz and multidisciplinary artist Zeus Bascon.
This year’s awardees were selected by former recipients Phyllis Zaballero, Antipas Delotavo, Wawi Navarroza, and UST alumnus Buen Calubayan.
Joining Tumala and Suarez in the 2024 roster are Catalina Africa, Denver Garza, Russ Ligtas, Ella Mendoza, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Issay Rodriguez, Luis Antonio Santos, Joshua Serafin, Tekla Tamoria, Vien Valencia, and Liv Vinluan.
