February is National Arts Month.
To be in tune with the happenings on this month, it is then worth fitting to
feature a celebrated artist coming from the city. Our Valenzuelano for this
month is Mr. Badz Magsumbol, a visual and paper cut artist.
Alberto Magsumbol, or simply known
as Badz to many, hails from Barangay Bagbaguin. Pursuing a career in arts, he took up Fine Arts at the UP
College of Fine Arts and has continuously honed his craft through many
years of practice. He has been awarded with the Natatanging Pagkilala sa Sining Biswal
in 2014 - Pagdiriwang Alay Wika, Sining, at Kulturang Pilipino by Global City
Innovative College, Makati City and the Grand
Winner of the 2013 Rizal Arts
Festival - Sentenaryo : Tribute to Two
National Artists, SM City Taytay. He also has several citations including those from
the NCCA Philippine Visual Arts Festival, Philippine Arts Awards, and the
Metrobank Foundation. Without further ado, let us know more about Mr. Badz
Magsumbol.
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| Papercut display at Rizal Park |
1. What are your most vivid
memories of living in the city as a child? Did you have any experiences in
Valenzuela which lead you to become an artist?
I
consider myself to be lucky to have spent my childhood in Valenzuela. Bagbaguin then wasn’t as busy, and as
industrialized, as it is now. During those times, my friends and I can play
in the fields. At the back of our house is a wide meadow filled
with grass, wild flowers, and rice fields where we chase grasshoppers and
butterflies and fly our kites in the afternoon.
These memories form themes for the artworks I do today, whether painting
or papercut.
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| Badz Magsumbol draws themes from his childhood memories living in Valenzuela City. |
2. Artists have their share of triumphs
and challenges. Please share to us some highlights in your career. How has your
practice developed through time?
I
have my share of triumphs and challenges. Triumphs put you in the limelight, boost your self esteem and give you
more confidence in what you do. But the
challenges define you. It puts your
integrity to the test and ultimately makes you not just a better artist, but a
better person as well.
I
started my career in art in the Advertising industry. Over the years, I have worked with different
companies in different industries. This
gave me the chance to use art in another application, where its use is defined
more by the client, more so by its intended market. Some of the projects I have worked on
include ad materials for print, packaging designs, corporate identity system,
even design prints for T-shirts.
But
after so many years in advertising, I decided to shift to life in the Fine
Arts. This move led to a series of
financial challenges as the income of a full-time visual artist is not as
consistent as it is in the corporate world. As I confided to my art mentors, “I have no idea how a full-time artist
survives.”
But I
persisted on, like there was no problem. I continued painting, sketching, and cutting paper even when they’re not
commissioned, until friends took notice of my works. One friend even helped put up my very first
art exhibit and even helped me sell my works in the United States.
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| A scene from past Valenzuela memories. "At the back of our house is a wide meadow filled with grass, wild flowers, and rice fields where we chase grasshoppers and butterflies and fly our kites in the afternoon." |
3. Where do you get your
inspiration from?
From the people I love, and from the
thought that we have to make the most of the time that we have.
4. What are your present pursuits? Any
in progress works and related activities?
Basically art making and art sharing
(art talks and workshops)
5. Are you part of any artists
group? What are your endeavors in the said group?
I am part of many groups but the one
I founded is the Papercutters Guild of the Philippines (PGP).
The PGP has members from different
regions of the country — from Baguio, Pangasinan, Bicol, Mindoro, Cagayan de
Oro, Antipolo, and of course the
NCR. It is my desire to promote
Philippine culture through papercut art and give exposure to the papercut
artists.
6. Where can people, especially
Valenzuelanos, view your works?
There is a “permanent” display of my
works (paintings and papercuts) at the Cafe Arquiza at Best Western Hotel La
Corona in Ermita, Manila. Also, some of
my works, the National Heroes Series, can be found on postcards sold at
National Bookstore.
For better viewing experience, watch
out for my next show J
7. Art is… life.
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| Mr. Badz Magsumbol together with some kids from Gawad Kalinga |
8. Any message that you would like
to give to Valenzuelanos on the pursuit of arts?
To my fellow artists of Valenzuela,
let us thank God for the gift of this wonderful talent. Let us continue our never-ending pursuit for
excellence and use this talent to inspire people and move them to have a better
appreciation of Art in all its diverse forms and beauty.
To those who view our art, you are
the inspiration.
To be in touch with Mr. Badz Magsumbol, you may contact him via Facebook here.
