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Visual Arts Helping Hands Foundation Inc. Presents Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project

The Visual Arts Helping Hands Foundation, Inc (VAHHFI) is exhibiting Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project, with the opening reception on November 12—at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex along Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

The exhibit is for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and of selected mental health advocacy groups, namely: Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines, Buhay Movement, Silakbo and #MentalHealthPh, as well as to support VAHHFI’s healthcare initiative for practicing visual artists and artist support practitioners like curators, art critics, art professors, and established gallery workers and other support professions.

Exhibit curator Ricky Francisco, Met team head Tina Colayco, VAHHF’s Daniel Dela Cruz, Atty. Tonico Manahan, Trickie Lopa, and Mike Tomacruz.

Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project serves as the VAHHFI’s inaugural launch and coming out event, following its initial 2017 exhibition by its founding members to raise funds primarily for visual artists’ welfare and hospitalization assistance, which resulted in the eventual creation of the foundation.

sculptor and founding member Daniel Dela Cruz

“Creating and registering the foundation took two years. It is the artists in service of other artists and those in the community. That is the VAHHFI’s contribution to Philippine art. Since the foundation is something bigger than any individual artist, it will surely stand the test of time as artists continue to pay it forward,” shared sculptor and founding member Daniel Dela Cruz, who spearheaded the initiative of putting together both the initial exhibition and the foundation.

The said exhibit expands VAHHFI’s reach and generating awareness not only among the visual arts community but among the general public.  More than providing collectors a chance to purchase unique artworks is the opportunity to help not just the artists but the professionals who support the artists in the visual art ecosystem.

Using “The Empty Chair” as a visual metaphor, the exhibit tackles the current and timely subject of Mental Health, and the idea that art heals.

VAHHFI challenged the top visual artists in the country to interpret, translate, and realize what an empty chair means and to conceptualize a chair series that embody the message of “hope, kindness, and positivity to all.”

By providing them with designer chairs and stools sourced from BoConcept and Casa Bella to work on, the artists not only to provide “support” to those suffering from anxiety, depression, and similar psychological issues but also to engender and encourage mental fitness as a part of one’s own overall well-being.

This much-awaited biggest health charity art-and-design event for the visual arts community will pool enough money for VAHH’s medical endowment funds.

 

Chapter 2 is participated in by Leo Abaya, Fruitjuice Factory Studio with Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan, Annie Cabigting, Valeria Cavestany, Charlie Co, Louie Cordero, Jayson Cortez, Marina Cruz, Kawayan de Guia, Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, Dexter Fernandez, Dino Gabito, Nona Garcia, Guerrero “RG” Habulan, Gregory Halili, Riel Hilario, Nilo Ilarde, Pete Jimenez, Erwin Leaño, Raul Lebajo, Luis Lorenzana, Gene Paul Martin, Jason Montinola, Leeroy New, Rando Onia, Jim Orencio, Bernie Pacquing, Lynyrd Paras, Richard Quebral, Marc Aran Reyes, Jose Tence “Bogie” Ruiz, Stanley Ruiz, Luis Santos, Ciron Señeres, Rodel Tapaya, and MM Yu.

Metropolitan Museum of Manila team head Tina Colayco

“It is a meaningful exhibition with a powerful metaphor and message on mental health awareness and related help.  The participation of so many generous artists in this exhibition without any doubt conveys an equally forceful expression of empathy for others and unity for a cause,” Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s team headed by Tina Colayco shared, expressing her support to the advocacies of the VAHHF.

 

Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project will run from November 12, 2019 to January 31, 2020, and is supported by Meralco, PLDT, AXA, Casa Bella and Bo Concept.  For more information, visit metmuseum.ph. Also, check out VAHHFI’s website www.visualartshelpinghands.org for updates, news, and application information.

 

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Written by dotdailydose

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