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Another Filipina does us proud in the international fashion scene. And the good news is, you have the chance to follow in her footsteps.

Sharon Atillo, an artist born and raised in a furniture factory in Cebu, is the first Filipina to have a design showcased in global board sports and street fashion brand Volcom’s Featured Artist Series.

Fondly referred to by peers as an industrial type gypsy, Sharon describes her aesthetics as "crazy yet nevertheless interesting environments, bare metal, industrial, unfinished wood concrete, plain, and most of all functional.” Her perception of art? “Frankly I don't understand expensive art I can only look at. It could be amazing and inspiring and all that...but I'm always afraid I'll tire of it. And then what? At least if it's art one can sit on, if I get tired of it, at least I can get to sit on it." Imbued with this mindset, it was only a matter of time before she rose above her humble beginnings. Sharon currently heads the operations for I LOVE YOU, an art and design collective, which in its own words, aims to “save the world and the environment through social change.”

What’s distinct about Sharon’s artwork is her exceptional aesthetic—the same element that caught the eye of the global brand and established her as the first Filipina for Volcom’s Featured Artist Series. The artwork called “Melissa’s Portrait with the Exploding Robotic Rhum in Cake,” which bears the name of her cousin for whom the work was originally for, suggests a mirror image or a portrait of the viewer and the viewer's surrounding mental, physical, or sociological environment.

Exclusively distributed by Aloha Boardsports, Volcom offers a line of streetwear and board sports apparel that is fully wearable. The men and women’s line offers denim, casual wear, and accessories that incorporate influences from street fashion. T-shirt prints can range from your usual beach-themed graphics to graffiti prints and original artwork. Volcom was established in the Gulf War period and over the last decade has provided a platform for aspiring artists to express themselves through their Featured Artist Series line of products. Here, the chosen artist is tasked to design T-shirts and a range of other accessories such as hats, wallets, and belts, as well as board shorts, sweatshirts, and woven/knit shirts. The Featured Artist Series line is released in Volcom outlets worldwide.

Sharon’s feat paves the way for more Filipino artists to be discovered by international fashion brands like Volcom, which hopes to collaborate with more of our local artists. Aloha Boardsports is currently hosting a contest with the theme “Why do you keep on hurting your neighborhood? What's wrong with you?" for aspiring artists who are challenged to come up with their own original T-shirt designs. The best among original designs will be handpicked by Volcom then featured and produced as a limited edition shirt under the brand. On top of bragging rights, the winning designer will receive $500USD (P25,000), a P10,000 shopping spree in Aloha Boardsports, and an exhibit grant.

Here are the mechanics of Volcom Art, “Why do you keep on hurting your neighborhood? What’s wrong with you?”:

1. The contest is open to Filipino citizens of any age but should be residing in the Philippines.
2. Participants may submit multiple entries.
3. Qualified entries must be a response to the contest theme: "Why are you hurting your neighborhood? What's wrong with you?" Message is broad, encompassing social, environmental, political and economical issues.
4. Entries may be created in any art or graphics medium (examples but not limited to: water color, computer graphic, paint, color pencil, photo, etc.)
5. Entries must submitted in the following format:
- 16 ½" width x 23 ½" height JPEG format with 300 dpi
- Artwork should incorporate the Volcom stone
6. Entries must be submitted through www.volcomcallforart.com using the registration form found in the site. The participant will then receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of the entry. (Incomplete entries will automatically be disqualified.)
7. Submission of entries is up to October 15 at 12:00MN. Results will be out by the second week of November so start working on your all-original piece now.

For questions and more information, you may call the Contest Secretariat at 780-9898, Monday to Friday, between 9AM and 5PM or email info@volcomcallforart.com.

 

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Volcom Philippine contest poster

Photo courtesy of Aloha Boardsports

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