For two Filipinos --  “Quiccs” and “Bjornik” -- who recently joined other artists from different countries in an art festival in Mongolia, art is a way of reaching out to the world.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Quiccs, who has been joining art competitions since he was a young boy, said "I do art to express myself and share my imaginations to the world.”

Quiccs and Bjornik recently showcased their skills at the Global Tiger Translate Festival in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.
 
The two artists teamed up with artists from different countries like Australia, Mongolia, and the United States from August 24 to 27 for the festival with the theme "streets."

The teams were required to take a picture of the scene that best represented the spirit of Ulan Bator streets. The photo was translated into art on the last day of the festival.
 
Quiccs,  who finds inspiration in Japanese-themed art such as Anime shows and robots, said art is for himself and his audience.
 
"I do art to create artworks and products that elicit a certain awe and a sense of bad-assery that inspires them to be more creative in their own ways themselves,” he said.
 
He believes that being an artist should be natural for any person who wants to be one.
 
“I believe that being a commercially successful artist however primarily requires you to live by a style that is highly distinct to yourself, though not necessarily purely original,” he said.
 
To budding artists, Quiccs said, "Do something different, be driven by many inspirations but own a style that you can call your own."

"If you want to be a happy and fulfilled artist, you must first learn to grow some balls and be committed, humble and selfless, and always remember that you will forever be a student of this planet we live in,” he added.
 
 Humor, ingenuity
 
Meanwhile, Bjornik is inspired by a touch of humor and ingenuity.

He believes that art should be for everyone.
 
“When one says art, it has an elitist connotation to it. I want to break this notion by creating whimsical pieces that even non-connoisseurs can identify with. Art should be for everyone,” he said.
 
Bjornik said he discovered his talent thanks to his uncle who would draw for him. He will then trace and redraw that artwork afterwards.
 
He is also grateful to his father who taught him how to persevere.
 
“He walked four kilometers on his way to work everyday, for 35 years in order to provide for us,” he said.
 
Bjornik says that to be an artist, one must never give up and have direction.
 
“It’s important to know what you really want and to do things that will eventually lead you to achieve it. But sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds so it helps to keep a day job,” he said.
 
“And one shouldn't stop creating personal work and collaborations. It'll define and help you grow as an artist,” he added.



Festival in Mongolia

During the art festival in Mongolia in August, “Quiccs” and “Bjornik,” along with their teams, visited the National History Museum and the Zaisan monument.

The trip was a way for them to know the history of Mongolia, its culture, and roots.
 
The highlight of the festival begins during the “Double Vision” collaborations at the Dund Gol Place, an upcoming art space in Ulan Bator that also operates as a café and club.
 
The teams used UV paint and markers and translated the photo they took during day one of the festival into glowing artworks that portrayed the spirit of Mongolia.

The finale was held at the Vegas Nightclub with DJ Ulzii and DJ Zoloo revving up the party atmosphere.
 
The pitch darkness of the club highlighted the UV paint giving the artworks a multi-dimensional finish.
 
Guests were also invited to showcase their artistic talents by coloring in a massive black and white print of Bjornik’s artwork and creating designs on digital graffiti boards. - VVP, GMA News