A local artist from Cavite is using his art to call out the government for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through his creations, Cavite-based visual artist Jacob Cezar is using digital arts to urge authorities to better address the current situation while also raising social awareness among citizens about what’s really happening.
“Sinasalamin dapat ng sining kung anong nangyayari sa reyalidad sa malikhaing paraan,” Cezar said in an interview with The Cavite Rising.
“Kapag ganitong panahon, halos lahat ng tao, art ang kailangan. Para sa entertainment nila. Yung iba naman, para sa ekspresyon ng mga sarili. Ganoon din sakin, ang sining ay gamut para sa sarili at maaari din na para sa lipunan.”
As people rise to the challenge of living under the new normal, Cezar said art is one way for everyone to examine what it means to be human and to express and amplify voices and messages. For some, it serves as an outlet in times of crisis and social injustices. He also added that art is an effective tool to disturb the comfortable.
“May halong sikolohiya ito. Gaya ng pakikipag-usap sa tao, ang sining ay isang paraan din ng komunikasyon. Kung nagbibingi-bingihan silang mga nang-aabuso, kung hindi na umuubra ang mga sigaw, sining yung unang pangkalampag sa tingin ko. Saka pulitikal naman lagi ito. Naniniwala ako rito.”
During the pandemic, Cezar also gave back to the community through his parody designs.
Together with his former organization Art Rally MNL and Manilenyos Tees, they initiated Kamiseta For A Cause that helped jeepney drivers and students of the Dumagat tribe.
“Ang magamit ang art mo sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, walang katumbas na halaga. Masaya at magaan sa pakiramdam makatulong,” Cezar said.
Cezar also shared how making art has helped him to keep sane during these trying times.
“Gaya ng sabi ni Ginoong Vim Nadera, may kapangyarihan makapanggamot ang sining. Laking tulong nito sa akin lalo na sa lusog-isip ko. Bukod sa minsan na akong nakapagbenta ng art ko o kumita mula rito, iba talaga dulot nito sa katinuan ko. At alam kong ganun din sa ibang artista na kilala ko. Panterapeutika ito.”
For Cezar, art will always be a form of self-expression, hence, he will continue to use it in raising social awareness — with or without pandemic.
