The conversation on the subject of mental health has never been more open and resonant in society than it is today. Using “the empty chair” as a visual metaphor to explore the topic while offering hope in the idea that art can heal, the Visual Arts Helping Hands Foundation, Inc (VAHHFI) launches its second major exhibition entitled, Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, on 12 November 2019.
This exhibit aims to support the foundation’s healthcare initiative for practicing visual artists and artist support practitioners like curators, art critics, art professors, and established gallery workers and other support professions. It will also benefit a number of mental health advocacy groups such as Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines, Buhay Movement, Silakbo and #MentalHealthPh,
Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project serves as the VAHHFI’s inaugural launch, following its initial 2017 exhibition by its founding members to raise funds primarily for visual artists’ welfare and hospitalization assistance, which resulted in the eventual creation of the foundation.
“Creating and registering the foundation took two years,” shares sculptor and founding member Daniel Dela Cruz, who spearheaded the initiative of putting together both the initial exhibition and the foundation. “This is the VAHHFI’s contribution to Philippine art. Since the foundation is something bigger than any individual artist, it will surely stand the test of time as artists continue to pay it forward,”
Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project expands VAHHFI’s reach and generating awareness not only among the visual arts community but among the general public. More than providing collectors a chance to purchase unique artworks is the opportunity to help not just the artists but the professionals who support the artists in the visual art ecosystem.
VAHHFI had posed a creative challenge to the crème de la crème of the Philippine visual arts scene to interpret, translate, and realize what an empty chair means and to conceptualize a chair series that would embody the message of “hope, kindness, and positivity to all.”
By providing them with designer chairs and stools sourced from BoConcept and Casa Bella to work on, the artists not only to provide “support” to those suffering from anxiety, depression, and similar psychological issues but also to engender and encourage mental fitness as a part of one’s own overall well-being.
“In as much as our foundation focuses on physical fitness, mental fitness should also be part of our regimen to protect and safeguard our overall well-being,” says Dela Cruz. “We spend time and energy exercising and going to the gym, but we also need to remember to take time to relax, de-stress, and rest our minds and our soul. Art, and all creative endeavors, soothes the soul and nourishes it.”
This much-awaited biennial gathering of creative minds and generous spirits to produce one-of-a-kind masterpieces worthy of collectors discriminating tastes to pool enough money for VAHH’s medical endowment funds.
This indeed embodies VAHHFI’s raison d’etre and philosophy as its flagship program: To give back to the visual arts community by providing funds to institutional partners and medical assistance to members of the visual arts community.
The biggest health charity art-and-design event for the visual arts community revolving on the theme of chairs, Chapter 2 features the works of Leo Abaya, Fruitjuice Factory Studio with Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan, Annie Cabigting, Valeria Cavestany, Charlie Co, Louie Cordero, Jayson Cortez, Marina Cruz, Kawayan de Guia, Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, Dexter Fernandez, Dino Gabito, Nona Garcia, Guerrero “RG” Habulan, Gregory Halili, Riel Hilario, Nilo Ilarde, Pete Jimenez, Erwin Leaño, Raul Lebajo, Luis Lorenzana, Gene Paul Martin, Jason Montinola, Leeroy New, Rando Onia, Jim Orencio, Bernie Pacquing, Lynyrd Paras, Richard Quebral, Marc Aran Reyes, Jose Tence “Bogie” Ruiz, Stanley Ruiz, Luis Santos, Ciron Señeres, Rodel Tapaya, and MM Yu.
VAHHFI had tapped Ricky Francisco to curate the exhibition, as well as exhibition designer Ar. Jonathan Dangue, both working closely with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila team headed by Tina Colayco.
“We fully support the mission of the VAHHF and express solidarity in their advocacies in promoting healthcare initiatives and extending medical assistance specifically for those in need from the local arts and culture community,” shares Colayco. “It is a meaningful exhibition with a powerful metaphor and message on mental health awareness and related help. The participation of so many generous artists in this exhibition without any doubt conveys an equally forceful expression of empathy for others and unity for a cause.”
Providing Medical Aid to the Visual Arts Community
Dr Joven Cuanang, chairman of the VAHHI being a medical doctor, with Dr Steve Lim on the Medical Team, has enabled the organization to evaluate the health needs of applicants from the visual arts community—not just members—and recommend medical interventions to benefit everyone in the field including art critics, art writers, and art professors.
Chapter 2: The Empty Chair Project will run from November 12, 2019, Tuesday, to January 31, 2020, Friday—with the opening reception on November 12—at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex along Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The project is supported by Meralco, PLDT, AXA, Casa Bella and Bo Concept. For more information, visit metmuseum.ph, call +632 708 7828, or email us at info@metmuseum.ph.
Learn more: www.visualartshelpinghands.org
