_exhibits

Six of the Philippines' top illustrators showcase their surreal and colourful works for the first time in Singapore at the prestigious Art Space of the Royal Plaza on Scotts from June 5-July 7, 2009.

The exhibition, a fusion of six different art styles showcases the artwork illustrations of Frances Alcaraz, Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, Paul Eric Roca, Ferdinand Doctolero. Robert Alejandro, Bernadette Solina-Wolf.

Illustrators have usually been known as the “grey-zone” artists and even play second-fiddle in the world of literature, moreso Children's literature. It has usually been argued if they are of the fine arts or commercial arts; as between writers and illustrators of "what got the reader's attention first---picture or text?"

The answers may vary as to complex relationships between artist and his/her definitions of what matters. Yet their "story" actually leads to a deeper level of understanding of who they are---basically to enjoy one's creativity and share this feeling of “play.” Such is the case of the following artists set to display their artworks for the first time in Singapore.

They have made quite a mark in Philippine children's literature as illustrators that writers usually (if not always) request their services not as second-fiddle but as “playful” collaborators.

Visual narrative as these works show, has been coined as a modern-day term for illustration. Their pictures justify the means---light, spontaneous, intuitive and engaging.

Frances Alcaraz had illustrated more than 15 books both for children and adults. Some of them having been published in Japan and translated in several languages. Among her many awards have been the 1996 Noma Concours (Japan) and 2001 PBBY-Alcala Illustrator's Prize (Manila). Her most recent illustrated books “Lola Basyang” were staged as ballets by Ballet Manila in 2008.

Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, one of Manila's sought-after illustrator, has 40-plus books to her name as well as a slew of book awards for both illustration and design. Despite a full calendar of deadlines for all sorts of commissioned works, Beth still finds time to create whimsical and delicate paintings in watercolor, a difficult medium to handle. Nevertheless, she makes it all look so effortless and easy.

Paul Eric Roca has illustrated memorable books including “Federico”, Klasmeyt” and “Si Ching na takot sa Dilim” for Manila's top children's book publishing house, Adarna Books, Inc.” before he joined SPH (Singapore Press Holdings) as an artist for its “Project Eyeball” in 2001. He presently works as an editorial cartoonist for a Singapore newspaper, The Strait Times.

Ferdinand Doctolero, a prolific visual artist and art educator, has had his art showcased in Manila's finest galleries and included in the permanent collections of banks, museums and private art collectors. He also illustrates for children's books and once garnered Second Place (Noma Concours of Japan) for the book “Sundalong Patpat”. Together with wife Beth Parrocha-Doctolero and son Uriel, Ferdinand runs home-based Yellow Bell Studio.

Robert Alejandro is more a household name in terms of design and illustration. He is a multi-awarded graphic designer and illustrator. His portfolio runs the gamut of cutting-edge shopping malls, books, advertising campaigns and television programs. At present, he is a Probe Team reporter and just had launched his most recent book as a traveling backpacker doumenting his experiences around Asiathrough drawings---“The Sketching Backpacker.”

Bernadette Solina-Wolf now lives in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, where (together with husband Michael) maintains a cozy retreat house up a mountain as well as a new-found art of painting on coconut shells. When as a Manila-based illustrator, puppeteer and art educator, she initiated the Ilustrador ng Kabataan, a dynamic organization of children's book illustrators, as well as the ANINO ShadowPlay Collective, an ongoing multi-media creative group of performing artists.

Where: Art Space. Royal Plaza on Scotts. 25 Scotts Road (adjacent to Duty Free Singapore)
Gallery Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-7pm.
Price: Entrance is FREE
Enquiries: +65 9734-4839
How to get there: Orchard MRT Station