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Art Transforming Life: Ali Art Judging and Awarding Ceremony

Art has always been coined as “imitating life;” but as exhibited by the winners of Ali Mall’s Ali Art Competition, transcending reality may be a more compelling route.

At the judging held last January 21, the Board of Judges – national artist Sanso, famous international artist Betsy Westendorp, noted art critic Dr. Reuben Cañete, renowned artist-critic Cid Reyes and international architect Faico – examined all 70 entries installed throughout the mall and proclaimed Babysitter by Jaspher Penuliar as the Grand Prize Winner. Based on its Concept & Execution, Composition & Technical Competence, Originality and Appropriateness, the renowned experts were unanimously pleased, amused and impressed with the artwork.

Ali Art
Feb. 21, Gateway Suites: Mr. Juvenal Sanso, Mrs. Betsy Westendorp, Arch. Fai Co, Mr. Cid Reyes, Dr. Reuben Cañete

According to Penuliar, the painting of the iconic “Transformer” depicts a child’s fantastical view of a shopping mall, where everything, most especially toys, seem alive and “larger than life.” A simple, common and relevant insight on the transcending eyes of a child that many of us may agree to, or better yet… Remember.

Second place was given to Rak en Rol by Jomar Delluba, which shows a young aspiring rocker with an electric guitar – alluding to Ali Mall’s reputation as the “go-to place for the best musical instruments.” Third place went to Letras y Figuras, a digital art by Mark Angelo Argarin displaying various images of Muhammad Ali and different Filipinos, intertwined and rendered into one cohesive picture. The former playfully exhibits children’s boundless dreams, while the latter goes beyond reality in more ways than one – From its non-traditional medium per se, to the idea of uniting different people, objects, time periods and scenarios.

2nd Place: Rak en Rol by Jomar Delluba

3rd Place: Letras y Figuras by Mark Angelo Argarin

(Photo Credit: Hub Pacheco)

The judges also selected ten finalists: The King by Vincent Paolo de Pio, Ali: The Legend by Mark Lester Espina, Territory and There’s Nothing Wrong with Being Green-minded both by Edwin Tres Reyes, The Big Fight by Amador Barquilla, Elvis and Three Stooges both by Juanito Torres, My Ali Art Collection by Cristina Panajon, 1, 645 Pigments of a Legend by Teo Angelo Esguerra, and Enganyo by Jamie Raphael Atienza.

All thirteen entries were publicly unveiled last March 5 at the mall’s Activity Area amidst shoppers, the anxious participants, judges, press and other respected guests in the art industry. VIPs include Araneta Group’s CEO, Chairman and President Mr. Jorge L. Araneta, Vice Chairman Mrs. Judy Araneta-Roxas, BPCI Chairman Mrs. Stella Marquez-Araneta, Judges Mrs. Betsy Westendorp and Arch. Faico, world-renowned design architect Sudhakar Thakurdesai and event partner Contemporary Art Magazine’s Jack Teotico. The official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2011 also graced the ceremony.

Led by Mrs. Roxas, Arch. Thakurdesai, Mrs. Westendorp and Arch. Faico, all 10 Finalists were awarded P20, 000 each; followed by Argarin, Delluba and Penuliar who received P50, 000, P100, 000 and P150, 000 respectively. Initiated by the Araneta Group’s Top Management, a special award was also bestowed to 1, 645 Pigments of a Legend by Teo Angelo Esguerra with a cash prize of P50, 000 for the Chair’s Choice. The Top 3 together with the Chair’s Choice will now remain as permanent fixtures for Ali Mall’s patrons to enjoy.


	Chair’s Choice: 1, 645 Pigments of a Legend by Teo Angelo Esguerra (Photo Credit: Hub Pacheco)

From a giant robot and a pre-school rocker to a manipulated community and a wooden smile, the Ali Art Competition has transformed the mall into more than just a shopping place. It now stands as a historical and personal space where inspiration, imagination and interpretation transcend one’s reality.

Ali Art

Mr. Sudhakar Thakurdesai, Mrs. Betsy Westendorp and Arch. Faico

Click here to view the Gallery