MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), the country’s first and only organization of illustrators for children, presents a fresh collection of artwork sharing personal experiences of members in response to the prompt: “What is your INK story?”
Founded in 1991, Ang INK was the offshoot of a Children’s Book Illustration workshop facilitated by German Illustrator Reinhard Michl, sponsored by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and the Goethe-Institut Manila. Currently, Ang INK has more than 70 active members (called INKies) who are illustrators, graphic designers, painters, writers, teachers working in educational institutions, publishing companies, and design and advertising agencies. INKies used a wide range of media for their works on display including paper, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencils, markers, 3D materials, and digital programs.
The exhibition INK Story: 30 Years of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan will be launched at the Wilson L Sy Prints and Drawing Gallery of Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) through an online event on October 23, Saturday at 2 pm. The program will feature messages from AAG Director Ma. Victoria ‘Boots’ Herrera; first Ang INK president Mel Silvestre; and current Ang INK president Nina Martinez. The program will be hosted by former Ang INK president Ara Villena, and will be livestreamed on Ang INK and AAG’s Facebook pages.
As a highlight of the online ceremony, Ang INK will be giving out its first Penpen Awards (named in honor of the organization’s mascot) to exemplary INKies who personify Ang INK ideals and have made outstanding contributions both to the organization and the field of illustration for children.
At 2:30pm, there will be a panel discussion titled Facing Forward: Visions for the Philippine Children’s Book Industry, featuring Adarna House vice president Ani Almario, writer Cheeno Marlo Sayuno, and illustrator Patricia Ramos.
The Ateneo Art Gallery remains closed to the public until further notice. Ang INK and AAG will release an online walkthrough of the exhibition through their respective social media accounts and websites. Inquiries about the exhibit and AAG’s reopening may be sent via email at aag@ateneo.edu.
