Here's another keen idea... SOUVENIR ITEMS from our Indigenous Brothers & Sisters!

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ VISUAL FINE ARTS OF THE PHILIPPINES:

NEW BEGINNINGS
For Indigenous Peoples, the visual arts are central to identity, place and belonging, and an expression of a unique and enduring tradition. Thus, the visual arts have an important place in the continuing survival of Indigenous Peoples and their cultures. In the Philippines, Indigenous Peoples’ visual arts provide subsistence livelihood through handicrafts and souvenir production.

However, unique and distinct examples of fine art can be seen in practically every corner of the country. From the “Fish” at the Deep Forest Resort in Palawan to the piece called “Earth” near Baguio, from Ifugao baskets and carvings in Northern Luzon to the colorful and evocative weavings from Mindanao, ample evidence can be found of
outstanding examples of world-class art. A mechanism needs to be developed to expose the best art to the world and to expand the sector beyond subsistence livelihood.

The mission of the KALINAWA ART FOUNDATION is to build on the inherent talent of the
Indigenous People of the Philippines by creating institutional mechanisms to contribute to building a visual fine arts sector that celebrates their culture, promotes talent, develops skills, facilitates training and builds cross-cultural education. Results will be measured by the increased visibility and understanding of Indigenous People and improved income for participating artists.

KALINAWA ART FOUNDATION provides assistance for the development of the Indigenous Peoples’ Art sector in the Philippines through a series of different activities. In order to promote Indigenous Peoples’ visual arts, a series of exhibitions built around a competition and sales of the art has been held in various regional centers. While the program of regional exhibitions will
be ongoing, the intent is to establish a regular National Indigenous Peoples’ art exhibition in Manila, to which winners from various regional competitions will be invited to present their work.

To create a sustainable activity, a focus on more than creating art is needed. The KALINAWA ART FOUNDATION will work with others to establish copyright standards to protect the art and foster institutional mechanisms to maximize the opportunities for Indigenous Peoples’ visual arts that are consistent with the Indigenous Peoples’ cultures and communities. By continuing to provide information and material support for building community based arts infrastructure to support the development of the Indigenous Peoples’ visual art sector, the FOUNDATION also provides support for the development of the entire visual art community.

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