Valuing Creativity: Protecting Artists and Their Pieces

Art of any form is an extension of its artist and their story. It often mirrors a part of reality or ideas the artist wishes to tell their audiences.

There is no single definition for art. But on a broader scale, art is said to be a form of communication and self-expression. A conveyance of the artist’s thoughts and emotions. Whatever their message is, they impart it by shaping materials into visual forms.

Looking into its etymology, the word art, with its first known use dating back as early as the 13th century, is directly associated with the Latin word “ars” which means art, skill, or craft.

Visual Art

There are well-known forms of art, with Visual Arts as the oldest documented form. This type includes painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, visual media, and even architecture. Fine Arts, on the other hand, is designed to entice the human intellect. At present, it is described as a journey into a  deeper understanding of life.

Decorative Art

Next would be Decorative Art which deals with art creation and appreciation of beauty. Michelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel are recognized worldwide as stunning pieces of art. Unknown to many, literature, music, theatre, and cinema also form part of art. Called communicative art, they are meant to draw strong emotions from their audiences. 

Whatever form of art, artists put a lot of their time and effort into every piece they create for the understanding and appreciation of others. Unfortunately, artists would sometimes face criticism from individuals questioning the relevance and rationale of their art.

The Importance of Art

Contrary to some belief, art does not only mean a piece of canvas brought to life with brush strokes or figures sculpted out of clay, for profit. Artworks are also educational pieces and a gateway to understanding societies long gone their stories, and their way of living. An artifact is a perfect example of how art contributes to people’s understanding of old civilizations that thrived thousands of years ago. Numerous architectural wonders, such as Stonehenge, the Roman Colosseum, the Pyramids, and even more recent structures like the Taj Mahal and the La Sagrada Familia, share important messages about the time, place, and the kind of society when these works of art were built.

There is art even in the mundane. Possibly the most agreeable reason why art is crucial is its impact on everyday life. Some might not consider utilitarian items art, but they contribute to one’s experience. Think about your smartphone, your home furniture, the cover of the magazine on your coffee table, your collection of designer bags, your car, your clothes, and the poster of your favorite movie. Everything has a touch of elaborate design and creativity, requiring human imagination, visual thinking, and appreciation. Art is crucial as it makes daily living more pleasurable and bearable.

Art is a great way to preserve culture, conserve customs and beliefs, and eventually communicate them to a global audience. Take the mummifying process of the Egyptians or the celebration of Mexico’s El Dia de los Muertos. With the help of science, humans can preserve their practices artistically. Likewise, Philippine Festivals is not just an expression of faith but also of Filipinos’ artistry. From extravagant and colorful celebrations commemorating Christianity, such as the Ati-Atihan in Aklan, Sinulog in Cebu, Moriones in Marinqudue, and Dinagyang in Ilo-ilo, to Festivities for thanksgiving and showcasing the rich culture of the Philippines, such as Kaamulan in Bukidnon, Panagbenga in Baguio, Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga, Pahiyas in Lucban, Kadayawan in Davao, Masskara Festival in Bacolod, Higantes Festival in Angono, and Pintados Festival in Tacloban, Filipinos continue to demonstrate their creativity and contribute to the preservation of the country’s identity.

Philippine Art and Recognitions

Filipinos are known to be artistic and talented. There are countless times when Filipino talent has been showcased and recognized in the country as well as in the global stage. Filipinos also excel in visual, digital, and literary arts, other than performing arts.

The artworks in the Philippines can be divided into two categories: traditional art and non-traditional art. Traditional arts (also known as Traditional folk arts) are artworks where bearers can be nominated to “Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan” (GAMABA) or  National Living Treasures. Folk architecture, folk performing arts, folk oral literature, and other traditional cultural forms of art fall under Traditional arts. Non-traditional art, on the other hand, has bearers nominated for the prestigious national artist award, such as painting, music, dance, literature, sculpture, visual arts, theater, and more.

Currently, the Philippine Government has awarded the national artists recognition to 66 individuals that made outstanding contributions to the development of Philippine art. On the other hand, 16 awardees of national living treasures were handed out by the National Commission of Culture and Arts to individuals that reached a high level of technical and artistic excellence in any traditional art and have widely passed the skill to the present generation of their community with the same degree of competence.   

The Struggles of Artists   

Creating art is personal by its nature. Although artists make a living out of their skills, creation is personal and subjective, often based highly on the artist’s thoughts, personality, mindset, experiences, and emotions. That said, it is inevitable that artists experience inner conflicts and challenges.

A common struggle for artists is finding inspiration. It is prevalent for artists to experience “mental block” due to the number of ideas they have to put into each piece. Artists usually find themselves consumed by the amount of product they have already accomplished and too depleted to create more. For artists who find themselves “stuck’ once in a while, it is recommended for them to put down their tools and go for a walk, be with nature, visit art galleries within their vicinity – maybe even go for a trip.

Aside from mental block, artists often struggle with confidence and the pressure to keep up with other talents. Since art is a personal preference and therefore subjective, not all artworks appeal to all collectors. This can affect how artists view themselves and their abilities. Additionally, there are instances where artists would feel anxious about their talent. Although skills or talents in art are usually inherent, it must still be continuously honed. Mastering a skill is never a competition but a series of levels to challenge oneself.

Another challenge artists must face is the marketing of their art pieces. Marketing is essential for artists to make a living out of their work. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest hurdles for artists, especially newcomers. There are instances when artists get discouraged by the amount of competition they have to pit their artwork within various marketplaces —  social media, events, community centers, and galleries. However, artists have to remember that their work is different from others, and instead of comparing themselves to those ahead of them career-wise, they can look at their journey and be inspired.

Aside from this, artists struggle with protecting the rights to their pieces. There are many instances when artists have to deal with people claiming rights to their designs and artworks without giving proper credit. This is prevalent with digital art pieces. Due to how vast the internet is, photos, music, and videos can inevitably be accessed and claimed by other people.

Ways To Protect Artists and Their Pieces

In the Philippines, artists and their works and ideas are protected under the Republic Act: 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. The law protects artists and their pieces to enable them to earn full recognition and financial benefit from their art pieces, together with the protection given to the artists by the Constitution. As the general public, we can help and promote artists by recognizing their works and giving due recognition, attending artists’ events, donating to the community, or simply sharing a photo or video of their creations.

Through artists, we are privileged to enjoy amazing works of art. Artists contribute to promoting and preserving our country’s customs and history. Art undeniably impacts our lives; by protecting and supporting artists, we show importance and appreciation for their abilities, vision, and artistic contributions.