Planting the Seed of Bookarts in the Philippines

This is a good beginning for bookarts in the Philippines where there are now a few practitioners with the craft surfacing. I know aside from me, there are a few others from the North and South of Luzon. 

I am very much looking forward to meeting a few of them as well.

Here's news from inewswire about my solo show this coming September 25 at the Big Room of Art informal.

A Bold New Genre: First Bookarts Solo Show Opens in the Philippines

Aside from my solo show, I was also included at the Met Open where there were 200 artworks exhibited for the benefit of the Met's art program. 5 curators were the one who chose the artworks submitted and what I liked about the application process was that they don't need your resume or cv, they just need to see your work. The reception is on the 20th but will open to the public on the 21st. I have submitted a bookart piece enclosed in wood and glass, protecting 3 hanging bound books and one at the bottom for a total of 4 bound books within. Sadly, I do not have a photo of the artwork but I will surely take a photo of it when it is at the Met Museum, the lighting will definitely give it a different feel.

And I also joined an art fair on the 25th at the National Art Fair in the Megamall Megatrade Halls. It seems that this month is truly a busy and spectacular month. I'm hoping to keep this up but working as a full time artist can take its toll since the financial income is not stable. The only way I could get by is to be very frugal and really spend on things that are necessary, I am not capable of appeasing my luxuries very much but I know I must tighten my belt.
I am happy for the support that I get from family and friends as I tread this path.

Audaces Fortuna Iuvat

Veronica Laurel with Kasibulan at the National Art Fair

Ornamental Study 2
6.5x4.5x1.25"
Hand bound book with carved wooden cover
2014

Ornamental Study 2 in Tanguili
6.5x4.5x1.25"
Hand bound book with carved wooden cover
2014

Endless Knot
6.5x4.5x1.25"
Hand bound book with carved wooden cover
2014

Mahogany Blank
6.5x4.5x1.25"
Hand bound book with carved wooden cover
2014

Mahogany Blank
6.5x4.5x1.25"
Hand bound book with carved wooden cover
2014

Mahogany Blank
6.5x4.5x1.25"
Hand bound book with carved wooden cover
2014

Veronica Laurel's blank book collection with carved wooden covers is one of the unique works among hundreds of artworks available at the National Art Fair held at the SM Megamall Megatrade halls 1 & 2 on September 26 to 28.
Her  wooden carved book collection for this event has eclectic designs that were created during the period of her stay in Buddhist temples in the Philippines and Taiwan. Other designs include the portrait of a serene Buddha on the cover and lotus flowers. The paper she used is very smooth and has  a velvety surface that is also friendly with fountain pens.

Her works can be found in the Kasibulan Booth, a group of women's artists that also has different artworks on sale such as paintings, sculpture, literary works like books, and others.
Kasibulan will also be relaunching Baidy Mendoza's book "Labrador" at the center stage on the 27th of September, hosted by writer Bebang Sy.

Karibok at Paleta Art Space

I'm included in the Group Show in Paleta Art Space located in Conde Labak, Batangas City.

It will be my first time to go and have a group show in the land where my family hails and where my mom grew up. Batangas has been our province but my part of the family branched out to Laguna and lived here since.