Grade 12 artist Althea Natividad's painting displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines
-
Loading... - Kexin Cheng
- 09 Oct 2024
- 47 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Althea “Thea” Natividad, a Grade 12 student from Ateneo de Manila Senior High School, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by becoming the first high school student from the institution to have her artwork displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines. Her painting, titled "To Be A Woman is to Be Watched," was part of the Art Interact 2024 Manila workshop, a sub-event of the 2024 Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC). While NSAC is typically open only to college students, Thea's participation in Art Interact as one of its youngest attendees earned her a spot among the 60-70 participants whose works were exhibited at the National Museum.
Thea’s journey as an artist began in her junior high school years at Marikina Science High School, where she won the national Pintahusay competition in 2023. With the guidance of her coach, Ms. Armela Rodrigo, Thea honed her artistic talents and continued to develop her unique style, blending hyperrealism and semi-realism. Her work reflects her current exploration of these genres, despite some artistic debate surrounding the combination. For Thea, the mix allows for both creative freedom and practical efficiency.
To Be A Woman is to Be Watched is a deeply meaningful piece that continues themes present in her earlier works, where she depicted iconic female figures like Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the Filipino mythological character Aman Sinaya. Her latest painting portrays a woman reminiscent of Paraluman, a Filipina beauty icon, surrounded by male figures who symbolize society’s objectification of women. Thea integrated a magazine collage element into the piece, as required by the workshop’s guidelines, using cutouts to form the word "WOMAN" beneath the subject's face.
Thea’s influences include impressionist painter Claude Monet, whose work she admires for its beauty from a distance, and contemporary Filipino artists Ronald Ventura and Love Bagacina. Ventura’s lecture during the event was a key motivator for Thea’s participation, and his work, along with Bagacina's architectural and art nouveau focus, continues to inspire her.
This remarkable achievement not only highlights Thea’s talent but also signifies a significant step in her burgeoning artistic career. Her dedication, creativity, and passion for art have earned her a prestigious place in the National Museum’s halls, an honor that sets her apart as one of the youngest Filipino artists to achieve such recognition.
