Why art matters to Dani Osmeña and Bambina Jacinto
Starting their close friendship as high school classmates in Assumption, Dani Osmeña and Bambina Jacinto have remained best friends even when they transferred to two different colleges — Dani to the Ateneo to take up management and Bambina to the UAAP for entrepreneurial management.
Joining forces, these two business-minded college students, both only 20 years old, decided to put up an art exhibit as part of Bambina’s thesis. Their goal was to introduce up-and-coming artists who work in visual media and expose them to the rapidly growing art scene and the booming art market. As young entrepreneurs, they wanted to honor the country’s talented budding artists who needed a venue for their work.
Art has been one of the central joys in their lives with Bambina being a budding artist in her childhood and Dani’s mother, Bettina Osmeña, a passionate collector of Philippine modern art.
Starting from scratch, Bettina introduced these young ladies to several more established artists who willingly joined the proposed exhibit that would be put up by these untested and inexperienced young curators. The rest were found through social media and school bulletin boards. The artistic mix featured Jonathan Benitez, Sayid Cedicol, Gromyko Semper, Isobel Francisco, Norlie Meimban, Miko Sandejas, Josue Mangrobang, Melvin Guirhem, Gao Rezaga and Jared Yokte.
During the successful opening launch of “Novus Praeternatura” at the A Space Manila in Legaspi Village, Makati, it was wonderful to note that 75 percent of the artwork was immediately sold on opening night. I noticed that there were guests that included a number of art-loving grandmothers with their pretty granddaughters who were present to show their appreciation for Philippine modern art. This was the perfect venue to bump into longtime friends whom I hadn’t seen for some time, with the younger set enjoying modern Philippine art alongside the older generation (gasp, that’s us!).
Dani explained that their partnership will present quarterly exhibits to celebrate budding Philippine talent and promote interest in the arts to people of all ages.
“Our firm values culture, quality, and above all, talent. Slate Manila aims to become a hub for artists and buyers alike in the celebration of Philippine art. We provide emerging perspectives on art and hope to create a venue for collectors to connect with promising up-and-coming talent. We aim to present only the finest pieces that emerging artists have to offer. In providing services that are both reliable and accommodating, Slate Manila hopes to become a premier art administration firm with various art-centered organizations to promote art awareness and pride in the Philippine art scene,” she added.
The show runs until Dec. 11.
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For inquiries, visit www.slatemanila.com, like Slate Manila at www.facebook.com/slatemanila, or follow @SLATEMANILA on Instagram and Twitter.
For your comments and ideas, email the author at jacinto.fa@gmail.com.
