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MANILA, Philippines?Visual artworks featuring oil and acrylic on canvas interpretations of the theme ?LRT at ang Buhay Pinoy? by the 12 winners of the 1st LRTART Competition are on display at the newly opened ?Art Along the Riles? gallery at the Light Rail Transit Authority?s Line 2 Araneta Center-Cubao Station.
Explaining the creation of the gallery, which is free for all LRT commuters, LRTA administrator Melquiades Robles said, ?We wanted to bring art closer to the masses, for after all, art just like the LRT should also be enjoyed by them.?
The artworks, together with 108 other pre-qualified paintings, are on display at the gallery until July 31, after which copies of all 12 winning entries may be viewed at selected LRT stations.
During the formal opening of the gallery, an awarding ceremony honoring the 12 winning artists as well as the pre-qualified participants was also held.
Of the 12 winning entries, Mario Panis?s ?Sakay na Rin Po Kayo? oil on canvas painting emerged as the top choice, making him the grand prize winner of P200,000.
Five Jurors Choice, each receiving P100,000.00 each, were also selected: ?Sakto? by Johann Padiernos; ?Sa Bisig ng Panatag at Tiwalang Paglalakbay? by Alexander Roxas; ?Buhay Pinoy? by David De Vera; ?Puno ng Kulay ang Una Kong Paglalakbay? by Ricky Ambagan; and ?Sa LRT Malayo pa ang ating Mararating? by Lea Panajon.
Completing the winners? circle are the six finalists who received P50,000 each: ?Via Caballeria? by Vincent Paolo De Pio; ?Korona po ng Pagyabong Namin? by Jerry Morada; ?Samu?t Saring Pinoy sa LRT? by Malyn Bonayog; ?Biyahero? by Jesus Genotiva; ?Pananaw? by Proceso Gelladuga II; and ?To and Fro? by Dandela Mari Cortez.
LRTA?s Robles said the paintings showed the artists? insights on the metropolitan?s train system.
?The different artworks that were submitted were a touching depiction of how the LRTA has affected the lives of so many of our commuters as they use the LRT every day,? he said.
The competition, participated by 315 professional and emerging artists, was organized by the LRTA, in partnership with the Philippine Association of Printmakers Inc., in time for the train agency?s 29th anniversary.
