Art as the new currency

Contributed photo
Contributed photo

IT WAS in May 2020 when the barter community groups started to surface in the city. The Dabawenyos welcomed this new trend with such warmth that even more than a month after it became trending, the groups still continue to grow. The objective is simple -- post stuff or extra food in your house that you would want to trade with something else that you needed more. No cash involved. The system is very much like the traditional bartering that we have gotten from our forefathers.

When you scan through the Davao Barter Community group, you will notice a number of talented painters bartering their artworks in exchange of appliances, grocery items such as rice and milk for the kids, guitars, or any other items they deem necessary.

The Davao Barter Community gave these artists a chance to earn income and fend for their families especially this pandemic when everyone struggles financially.

Glory May Gaas-Lariego

Glory is a member of a local group of artists called Bai Hinang and has previously been trained under local artist Vic Secuya. She finds herself especially fond of painting flowers, animals, and sceneries. Recently, she also found herself doing portraits of people as well.

"At first really, I did not expect that people in the barter community would accept my offer because we can't really know who is interested in paintings. I offered my painting to others but some did not respond so it was just really a mere luck to come across people who would really love my painting."

Her first barter was her painting services in exchange of Nerf toy gun for her son. The second is her personalized painting of a dog in exchange of a Playstation Portable (PSP) and a Canon camera.

Joaquin Sala

A graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Painting at the Ford Academy of the Arts in Buhangin, Davao City, Joaquin had been fond of drawing since he was five years old.

"I'm so happy with my first barter experience. Someone really gave me the items I needed, small washing machine and a folding bed, in exchange for my floral painting."

Like all the other artists in Davao City, Joaquin did struggle as an artist especially that painting jobs are not as stable and consistent. But with the barter community, he somehow regained a certain kind of hope that his artworks can help him with life.

Perry Lequigan

Probably one of the most popular painters in the barter community group, Perry had already successfully bartered more than 20 of his paintings in exchange for different items including a sack of rice, guitar, hardware tools, kitchen items and appliances, and many others.

"Honestly, the value of the paintings I declare on the group is really far from their actual value. I just declare the very minimum value of it. But I thought it's okay because that's not the essence of barter anyway. I know what's important also is the friendships and partnerships made"

A Fine Arts graduate, Perry used to accept commission works and costume and props design before the pandemic. But the quarantine struck his source of income hard and he thought of a way to make use of his talent. One of his first successful barters was his DIY Stormbreaker (inspired by Marvel Superheroes' weapon) in exchange for a sack of rice.

Ilian Carlo Ferrer

Unlike the other painters in the barter community, Ilian's medium is larger as he and his girlfriend used to accept commissioned work to paint walls, murals, and the likes. Both of them are Fine Arts students in the University of Mindanao. Having to work according to the requests of his clients, Ilian learned to set aside his personal taste for dark themes as skulls and gave way for more positive and colorful designs as birds, flowers, or the human body. He understood that more people tend to appreciate it.

"The first successful barter gave me the best 'feel-good' experience because it was new and fresh for me. It was instilled in my memory. For a lettering service for small crates, we got two kilos of rice and frozen burger patties in exchange. I was really happy."

After this first successful barter, more people from the community would message Ilian asking for his painting service. One particular businessman asked him to paint and design their humble bakeshop. Ilian understands that the demand for painting now may still not be as frequent and consistent but he is happy that more and more people appreciate local artists now. As an artist, he also knows the value of a single painting is as time, effort, and money had been invested there. With what's happening around, he shared how he sometimes feels like in the post-apocalyptic era when money is not worth anything and that services and goods are more important now.

Jonald Magkidong

A mechanic during the day, Jonald finds time to paint during the night or during weekends. He was first interested in painting when he was in high school when he was first mentored by Jeff Bangot, who now teaches Art and Design at Davao City National High School. Jonald recalls how Bangot basically taught him the basic style concepts of painting.

"I thought of bartering my painting because I wanted to give my child Grolier Talking English. It's difficult to choose which painting you would want to be bartered but maybe that's where sacrifice comes in when you're a parent. Sadly, no one closed the deal with my post. Maybe because they didn't have that available item. But many others have been messaging me for my painting services. That is already a big help for me"

One of his paintings posted in the group he named 'Unconditional Love' which shows the love of a mother to her child.

Rene Milan

Rene from Tagum City has decided to give up everything to fully pursue his passion in visual art. He already made a plan. He even thought of conducting a series of summer workshops. Everything had already been prepared but Covid-19 came and it was downhill for Rene from there. His savings were all used up and even the things they needed at home.

"I come from a poor family. I don't have any other treasure but my family. You can see that in some of my masterpieces. I want as much as possible to paint from the heart. I always see my family in every painting that I make."

His first successful barter was from someone in Davao City in exchange for five sacks of rice. Distance didn't become a problem as they were able to make transactions through the ka-barter's friend working in Tagum City but goes home to Davao City every day. After that, more barter transactions came.

Life had been tough for Rene and his family because of the quarantine but they continue to strive. Even the paintings of her 2-year-old daughter had been put up for barter and had caught the interest of the members of the community.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph