by Faith Auxilium Segovia
In the subconscious mind of an individual, art could be a testament of hope and tenacity. Hands touching materials and eyes picturing sequels form visions untangling chaotic thoughts.
Jun Orland Espinosa perceives darkness as radiance and pursues his passion amid all opposition and vagueness. The 26-year-old artist trusted all the odds, guiding him find his way to triumph through cracks and crevices. He never imagined his masterpieces to be noticed, but his enthusiasm unfastened uncertainties, granting him the chance to carve a name in the industry.
Espinosa, a native of Bacolod City, is the son of Maggie and Igmedio Espinosa. He finished his primary education at the T.M. Morada Sr. Elementary School and graduated his secondary education at the Ramon Torres National High School. He entered college with so much assurance and confidence, taking up Bachelor of Arts in Architecture but wasn’t able to finish as he appreciated art than the path he took.
Ornamental arts paved his way to set foot in arts coming across the field of visual arts. The artist inspires young minds to venture into arts, and to innovate traditional art into contemporary art. Instead of using acrylic paint, watercolor, oil paint, gouache, etc., he uses raw materials such as wood, trees and even bones.
Inspired by his brother, Tyrone, Orland chased his visions and committed to various events fuelling his desires to earn honor and recognition for his talent. His 13-year-old self must be very proud of what he has become – he can turn wood into an exquisite craft, shape tree roots into an expressive piece, and alter figures into a purposeful thought.
“I do not consider myself a veteran artist because the learning process is continuous, and there’s always room for improvement,” Espinosa said.
“Underneath”, his latest entry in the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), typifies people’s burdens after tropical storm “Odette” struck the country. It seems like a leap in the dark for him yet it did not curtail him to pursue his intention – to voice out his causes.
“Underneath” bagged a Special Citation in the 2022 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Sculpture Recognition Program spearheaded and implemented by the Metrobank Foundation.
Made from the roots of a tree, the figure looks like a species rounded with bone-like structure highlighting fearlessness and boldness. It took four months to give rise to a spectacular gem – from a month of conceptualizing to almost a month of collecting unprocessed materials, and two more months of situating everything.
”Pinaka-importante bilang isa ka artist, indi ang art. Dapat i-develop ang character as an artist. Ang art hapos katama i-develop. Kun ang art mo tama ka nami pero ang imo character indi, indi ka gid mag-standout,” he said.
Standing his ground, Espinosa proved his expertise and bagged numerous awards from several art competitions— finalist at the EVM International Art Awards on 2016; 2nd Place at the 50th Shell National Student Art Competition on 2017; shortlisted in the Philippine Art Awards on 2018. In 2019, he reaped a string of awards from different art contests — Grand Prize at the EVM International Art Awards; semi-finalist at the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence; and Eskinita art gallery, Tuklas Grant awardee.
In 2020, he was a Top 10 finalist at the Don Papa Rhum art competition. In 2021, by the way, his artist brother Tyrone grabbed the Special Citation Award at the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence.
In the midst of these accomplishments, Espinosa still holds on the thought that he still has a long row to hoe.
“Kun sa international gid, ang arts sa Pilipinas tama pa ka layo, so i-rate ko self ko, 4. Pero kun sa national, ma-consider ko self ko mga 7 ah,” Espinosa humbly stated.
For the 2022 edition of the the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, the grand awardees will each receive P500,000 worth of cash assistance and P100,000 for the special citation recipient.
They will also be given the “More” trophy designed and crafted by Juan Sajid, the 2007 MADE Awardee, and will also become members of the MADE-Network of Winners – the group of awardees and designers previously recognized by MADE.
Since its establishment in 1984, MADE has awarded over 400 artists and designers who are now established in their respective careers or are establishing their names in the art and design scenes.
While the country is facing a major health and economic crisis, MADE has persisted and continued to adapt, ensuring its support for artistic development, endeavors, and welfare of Filipino visual artists.
In 2020, as a response to the challenges/effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, MADE fittingly emerged as a Corporate Social Responsibility program for the arts.
