Written by: Ruth L. Navarra The grand prize winner of this year’s Watsons’ Sustainable Art Competition is a practical man. Noli Española went to junk shops to scavenge for the materials he needed to complete his art rather than buy new materials.
Noli Española “As an artist, you have to be resourceful,” he said. Española has already collected enough recyclable materials for a sculpture in preparation for next year’s competition. He submitted two entries and both of them are now part of the sustainable art exhibit titled, “Reimagine, Recycle for a Better Future” at the Drybrush Gallery at SM MOA Square in Pasay City.
The show runs until Aug. 16. Española’s artworks are titled “Alay sa Inang Kalikasan” and “Yamang Dagat,” and both mixed media on canvas.
Both have a green border to symbolize windows that open to the scene before them. “Alay” features barren land against a vibrant blue sky; at the bottom is a lush terrarium being lifted by hands. The greenery spills out of the bottle and plants grow next to it.
Interestingly, some of the leaves he used are the herbal plant pakpak lawin, which is the subject of Española’s other artworks. Competition judges Caesar Sario, Roland Rosacay, Jojo Liao, Nemi Miranda, Grand Prize Winner Noli Espanola. Sharon Decapia, Senior AVP for Marketing, PR & Sustainability-Watsons Philippines and Senior Marketing Manager for Sustainability- Watsons Philippines Lexie Coloma “The red circle symbolizes global w.