Last year has been challenging to say the least. The whole world was flipped upside down by a global pandemic and countries like the Philippines had to juggle this with extreme calamities. Filipinos are known to be some of the most resilient people out there, yet that was put to the test once again by the havoc caused by Typhoon Ulysses, a powerful and deadly Category 4 hurricane that caused the worst flooding in Metro Manila since Ondoy in 2009, which left a lot of families in grave need of help and support. It was the wake of destruction that sparked every Filipino to open their eyes and help one another. Many different relief operations and donation drives were held. But even though the year has ended, the struggle continues.
This is where the HandO Team comes in. Enlivening the importance of standing together as a community, The Art of Giving Back: Designs on Drawers is a 4-month fundraising campaign dreamt up by the HandO Team, calling upon 12 talented local artists around the Philippines to come together for a greater cause. The project was carefully thought of with the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in mind. Though their cries for help are no longer all over the news, the battle is far from over and a lot of people are still in dire need of assistance.
During these hard times, it was different forms of art that kept us sane – from reading books to watching movies and listening to music. This is why HandO decided to partner up with the Filipino art community to promote their work and take pride in the importance of what they do. In order to actively aid their fellow Filipinos, selected artists were called to use their various mediums on metal drawers—transforming these functional pieces of furniture into distinguished works of art—which will be auctioned out on March 15-31, 2021 on HandO’s website (www.handofurnitureinc.com). 50% of proceeds will then be donated to the artist’s choice of charity or organization, while the other half will be given to the artist to show their support for the local art industry.
In hopes of doing more, the HandO Team will also be organizing a contest on their Facebook page (HandO Furniture) on the same dates where people can vote for their favorite artwork. The artist of the winning piece will be rewarded a cash prize of Php50,000 from HandO Furniture Inc. to be donated to the artist’s charity of choice.
Meet the Artists
1. Reen Barrera
Reen didn't have a lot of toys growing up and considered himself as a “toy deprived kid”. He started making his own toys using random objects, which eventually paved the way for his career as a full-time artist in 2014. His work consisted of bobblehead portraits, graphic design, and illustrations.
Designed Drawer: "KINAHONG PANGARAP"
Medium: Acrylic, Wood, and Resin
Choice of Charity: Hope for the Heart and Soul Foundation
The Hope for the Heart and Soul Foundation is a non-profit organization that creates, shares, inspires, and helps individuals through the use of art.
2. Tammy De Roca
Tammy is a visual artist whose works explore how our perception of appearances and images are either challenged or supported by textures through paintings, sculptures, and other forms. Her pieces have been showcased extensively in various exhibits around Metro Manila.
Designed Drawer: "TO BE HERE"
Medium: Mixed Acrylic
Choice of Charity: Hello Happy Philippines
Hello Happy Philippines is an online Mental Wellness partner that aims to guide people during challenging times and empower them while strengthening their unique traits and helping them find their purpose.
3. JP Duray
With no background in the arts, John Paul or “JP” started his career by drawing a boy with a banana for a head. He called it “Banana Man” and the rest was history. Today, JP continues to create explicit masterpieces that leave people in awe.
Designed Drawer: "OPEN UP"
Medium: Resin and Automotive Paint
Choice of Charity: San Lazaro Hospital
San Lazaro Hospital is committed to being the center of excellence for infectious and tropical diseases by providing its clients with comprehensive quality patient care, training, education, and research services.
4. Christian "CHANO" Fernandez
CHANO claims to be a “friendly, straight edge, passive-aggressive hippie” known for his yellow and mellow characters. He is an old soul who loves the primary colors, psychedelic art, traditional tattoo, comic books, vinyl record cover arts, frogs, and surrealism.
Designed Drawer: "HELP!"
Medium: Acrylic and Inks
Choice of Charity: Project Smiles Philippines
Project Smile Philippines is a multi-awarded youth-led non-profit organization that aims to uplift the lives of neglected and underprivileged Filipinos – providing access to quality therapy services through TheraWee.
5. Ang Gerilya
Seeking to make their art as relevant as possible, Gerilya’s work is inspired by Philippine culture and history, exploring socio-political issues and national identity. Formed in 2008 at the UP College of Fine Arts Diliman, they create comics, street art, graffiti animation, host fine art exhibitions, and offer illustration commissions.
Designed Drawer: "RAMBOL"
Medium: Acrylic and Spray Paint
Choice of Charity: Child Hope Philippines
Child Hope Philippines is a non-profit organization that aims to protect Filipino street children and their rights. The organization provides opportunities such as education and basic necessities such as shelter, health, and food for these street children.
6. Maribel Magpoc
Maribel started her career as a painter as soon as she graduated from university in 2015 and has been actively participating in different exhibits ever since. She will have her first solo exhibit later this 2021.
Designed Drawer: "FACES OF POSSIBILITIES"
Medium: Oil Paint
Choice of Charity: Ms. Possibilities Foundation
Ms. Possibilities Foundation is a non-profit organization that holds beauty pageants for girls with special needs. They aim to showcase true beauty, promote self-confidence, and raise awareness of people with special needs.
7. Leeroy New
Leeroy is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice overlaps and intersects with different creative industries: fashion, filmmaking, theater, public installations, product design, and performance. This inclination to harness different modes of creative production has become the spine of his practice driven by concepts of world-building, myth-making and social change.
Designed Drawer: "DISCO"
Medium: Oil Paint
Choice of Charity: Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang ng Pantawid (SNPP)
The Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang ng Pantawid (SNPP or Association of the United 4Ps Families) has undertaken several significant activities in the past three years to further strengthen their ability to organize their communities to engage on policy issues and advocacies revolving around CCT program-related issues as a springboard for civic engagement.
8. Rainiere Ramiro
Understanding the dark side of human nature in our modern industrial and technological age is mostly the subject of Rainiere’s art. Using Graphite, Ink, Ballpoint, Acrylic, and Oil, Rainiere creates nightmarish dreamscapes that reflect our world and what modern times demand of us, and the issues of our society.
Designed Drawer: "PROPHECIES"
Medium: Mixed
Choice of Charity: PAWS
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a non-profit organization composed of a network of committed, compassionate and trustworthy individuals and institutions that initiates and leads in the promotion of animal welfare and the protection of all animals.
9. Kookoo Ramos
Kookoo started as a street artist, painting on walls around Metro Manila in 2009, and transitioned into a full-time, professional mural artist in 2015. Her pieces are mainly focused on female portrait illustrations juxtaposed with colorful abstraction and familiar organic elements.
Designed Drawer: Untitled
Medium: Spray Paint
Choice of Charity: Philippine Taxonomic Initiative Inc.
Philippine Taxonomic Initiative Inc. is a non-profit organization that is focused on advancing the discovery and description of plants and animals in the Philippines, providing local taxonomists with the skills they need to do this work autonomously, and supporting research into the ecology of new plant and animal species.
10. Brent Sabas
Brent is an active member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK) whose works have been showcased in local magazines such as Esquire Philippines, Preview, and Mega. Featured in Real Living Magazine's “2016 25 Creatives To Watch”, he continues to bring imaginations to life through his two recent solo exhibits ‘Brighter Corners’ at Galerie Stephanie and ‘Good Boys’ at Space Encounters Gallery.
Designed Drawer: IROG
Medium: Acrylic
Choice of Charity: Project PEARLS
Project PEARLS’ main mission is to help children get out of poverty and to enable them to achieve their dreams through scholarship grants and educational resources. Project PEARLS focuses on the following areas: education, nutrition, health care, economic and community development.
11. JM Saycon
JM’s works have been consistently recognized for their distinct black and white style at the Vision Petron Awards. He was also invited to the Artist Residency programs of Kawasan Sentul Bogor in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2013 and Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, Korea in 2015.
Designed Drawer: BIRDS IN PARADISE
Medium: Acrylic
Choice of Charity: JM has decided to hold a feeding program in his Barangay, Commonwealth Quezon City.
12. Micole Tam
The creative mind behind Micole Tam Art, Micole has worked with luxury brands such as Hermès, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Guerlain, and Estee Lauder to name a few, and is currently a brand ambassador of various art supply companies. She also runs her own business called “M by Micole” which carries curated and hand-engraved items.
Designed Drawer: SUNNY SIDE
Medium: Acrylic
Choice of Charity: Give PH
Give PH is a non-profit organization that aims to bridge less fortunate Filipino children and their dreams. The organization's main focus is to provide current needs for these children in order for them to focus on education and other desires.
Breathing life into these everyday drawers that are perfect for storing paintbrushes, art materials, and just about anything with its spacious and ergonomic design through these artists’ unique styles, HandO wishes that The Art of Giving Back: Designs on Drawers campaign would also bring about positive change to the situation of fellow Filipinos.
It’s your chance to make a difference on March 15-31, 2021 by giving one of these amazing drawers a new home, or by simply joining HandO’s Facebook contest and voting for your favorite piece. It will surely go a long way!
If you intend to bid, send @handofurniture a private message on Facebook or Instagram stating the title of the drawer, artist name, bid offer, and your contact details!
About HandO
Home and Office Furniture Inc.—HandO for short—began with co-founders Jan Vyliam Tan and Andy Cheung and their shared passion for providing a wide variety of affordable quality furniture pieces for homes, offices, and coffee shops. HandO also prioritizes building strong relations with their clients and employees to constantly grow and improve, and eventually become at the leading edge of home and office furniture. Aiming to provide a safe space not only at home or at work but also for the entire Filipino community is at the forefront of what HandO does, using their platform to create relevant projects and fundraisers in hopes of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
View The Art of Giving Back: Designs on Drawers Collection!
Facebook: HandO Furniture
Instagram: @handofurniture
Email: info@handofurnitureinc.com
