BenCab, Manansala starting at P3K each? Let Gavel & Block show you how

Ever wondered how a BenCab artwork would look inside your kitchen or study? Or how about a Vincent Manansala, Ang Kiukok, or Doris Magsaysay-Ho masterpiece hanging in your living room and sparking a conversation between guests who would come and visit your house?

Salcedo Auctions, through their new subsidiary Gavel & Block, is making owning artworks by these fine Filipino painters more accessible on their first auction event called "Editions."

The people behind Gavel & Block’s "Editions" event: Richie and Karen Lerma from Salcedo Auctions (L) and  Dara David-Roa and Dong Ronquillo of The Gourmand Kitchen. Photos courtesy of Stanley Baldwin O. See.

Salcedo Auctions director Richie Lerma explained that the 77 art pieces hanging in their gallery are not mere replicas or just a reproduction of the original; these works, also called editions or impressions and are considered originals, numbered in series (i.e. 9 of 23), and are signed by the artist.

"The 'Editions' auction is devoted to the idea of the multiple original — that is when work is done on an edition, an artist creates several authorized copies of one artwork. This democratises art because it allows people to enjoy that image more widely," Lerma explained

He added, "The interesting thing about it is that the process of printmaking, I think, is highly underrated because it is in fact the most, or one of the most difficult medium to master. The process that’s involved in creating original fine prints rivals or exceeds the technical difficulty in creating, let’s say a watercoloring painting, an oil painting, or a sculpture."

A Malang painting for P24,000 (Untitled, Serigraph 1/50) and an Ang Kiukok for P14,000 (Untitled, Rooster Serigraph 10/226) could soon be hanging in your living room.

This is one reason why four BenCabs (National Artist for Visual Arts - Painting Benedicto Cabrera) are priced between P20,000 to P40,000 (Lots 50, 51, 11, and 3) and three Pablo Piccaso’s range from P28,000 to P38,000 (Lots 32-34).

These definitely are not cheap, but they are not too expensive that it intimidates or turns off ordinary Filipinos from buying or appreciating.

"Just by the simple fact that there are multiple originals, they are accessibly priced but mind you, the prices of even original fine prints are also growing because by the very nature of the medium as well and over time, how many of them would usually survive? Over time, becomes less and less and less," Lerma said. 

Aside from prints on paper like Malang’s Untitled (Fish Vendor, center), other pieces in the collection include ceramics by BenCab (Mag-Ina, left, and Mother and Child, right), and a screen print on capiz by Manansala (lower center).

Given the chance to view these pieces before they are transported to The Axon, Green Sun along Chino Roces Avenue Ext. for the auction proper, my eyes were glued to Ang Kiukok’s Untitled (Cruxifiction), a serigraph or silkscreen painting numbered 6 of 190.

The vibrancy of colors plus the theme of Christ dying on the cross for our sins really spoke to me.

Asked which piece was his personal choice, Lerma pointed to the BenCab Etching AP (Artist’s Proof) titled Garrote. Its simplicity and power that endeared the artwork to him.

“So we’ve seen prints for example that have started at P10,000 to P20,000, or in their lifetime the artists gave away those artworks and they’ve been auctioned off at P200,000 to P300,000 as well. So what Gavel&Block is doing is really, through its contemporary auctions, making the auction experience accessible and enjoyable.”

As an added element to "Editions", Salcedo Auctions also partnered with culinary group The Gourmand Market to provide curated fine food products for a complete sensory experience.

Aside from mainstay nawwTy’s kitchen, other food partners that will be present during the auction proper include UK premium ice cream Carte D’Or, Crackle Chips’ Salted Egg Potato Chips, and Kapoké and their different flavored/seasoned Hawaiian poke or raw fish salad.

According to Dara David-Roa of The Gourmand Market, “We got together, our team and Salcedo Auctions, thinking that we want to put together art and food. Because individually, we always try to think of ways to include people, make it an inclusive community wherein they can enjoy something that’s intimidating and putting it into a place like the market that’s more digestible and relaxing to be in.”

Envisioned to be a more casual art fair or an upscale flea market seen abroad, the event will cater to connoisseurs, collectors, and casual people who appreciate good art together with good food and drinks. “It’s never been done before, so I said ‘let’s try it!’ We are all for bringing and doing something new,” Lerma added.

The inaugural Gavel & Block auction "Editions" will continue to provide a preview of the featured artworks until July 26, 2017 at Salcedo Auctions before transferring to The Gourmand Market at The Axon, Green Sun on July 28 from 11a.m. to 11p.m.

The actual auction happens on the next day, July 29, 2p.m. at the same venue.

Salcedo Auctions is located at Three Salcedo Place, 121 Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village, Makati. For more information visit salcedoauctions.com — AT, GMA News