“It is our fervent wish that these artists represent the next generation and that they will continue to contribute to the vibrancy of the visual arts scene,” Chris B. Millado, vice president and artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) said.

He added: “Many major players have won this award and some have become National Artists. But what we are most proud of, and what has given us a sense of fulfillment is that many of the awardees (in the past) have become teachers and trainers, and have established their own schools.”

Millado spoke during the recent press conference at the CCP which announced the winners of the Thirteen Artists Award, which has been given to 185 artists since the program started in 1970.

The 13 were chosen from 59 nominees active in any (if not many) of these fields: painting, sculpture, printmaking, multimedia, installation art, photography, drawing, graffiti, performance art and street art.

The awardees are Zeus Bascon, Bea Camacho, Cian Dayrit, Janos Delacruz, Carlo Gabuco, Dina Gadia, Guerrero Habulan, Elsa Jocson, Doktor Karayom, Raffy Napay, Archie Oclos, Lynyrd Paras and Shireen Seno.

They will receive a trophy and a cash grant that will enable them to create a new work that will be showcased in a group exhibition at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery) starting Oct. 18 this year.

Award was started by Roberto Chabet, the first CCP Museum director, who sought new forms of art that would “restructure restrengthen and renew art-marking and art thinking.” His successor Raymundo Albano developed the program into what it is today.

This year’s jurors include past winners who have become prominent in their field like Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, Leonilo Deloricon, Noel Cuizon and Yasmin Sison-Ching, and Rica Estrado, OIC of the CCP’s Visual Arts and Museum Division, which administers the program. –CONTRIBUTED