by Noel Sales Barcelona
Her last name is reminiscent of an island British colony in the Caribbean, Montserrat. Alexandra Marie Monserrat is one of the artists that caught this writer’s attention attending a group show in ARTablado last June. Deep inside this author’s mind and heart, Alexandra is one of the artists whose art will bring her into places, and definitely will find a place not only in one’s wall but also inside one’s soul.
A Calling
For Alex (Monserrat’s nickname), art is a calling. She loves sports but her health condition prevents her from doing sports.
“Ever since I was a child, I loved drawing. I guess, it’s meant to be? I love sports, too. However, because of my asthma, I only stayed home. I’ve always been that kid who’s been restricted [by my parents] to get tired,” she shared with Agimat.net in an email interview.
“Also, due my family’s support, my passion in arts has become stronger and my skills in drawing, honed. Like literally, the gifts that I always receive are sketch pads or art materials, while my sisters will receive dresses as gifts. But I guess, that one defining moment, which pushed me to get deeper into arts was when I became the champion, for the first time ever, in a major competition that I joined when I was young,” Alex said, referring to the Editorial Cartoon award that she received in 2018.
Besides this, she also became champion, at the regional level, of the poster-making competition organized by Soroptimist International. She also became the over-all champion at the division level of the drawing competition for the Nutrition Month in Antipolo City. All these happen also in 2018.
An alumna of San Isidro National High School, Alex also said her junior high school was her formative period as an artist. It was also during junior high school that she finds herself inspired and motivated to pursue a career in arts.
“My environment and being surrounded by supported and very artistic people, it was during my high school years that I have been into arts more. I joined the school’s publication and became an editorial cartoonist there. I have always been chosen to represent the school for art competitions. This led me to join ARTipolo. The artists there (in ARTipolo) became my second family—my mothers, fathers, elder sisters and brothers in the field of arts. They motivated me to enjoy and go further in what I do, that it is always scary but always great to follow your dreams and embrace your first love which is art. Also, I feel like my family feels proudest when I do art. And now, Vice Versa Artists Group that drove me even further in pursuing my artistic career,” she said.
ARTipolo, Inc. is the organization of the prolific artist from the city where this writer also resides, Pol A. Mesina, Jr. Meanwhile, Vice Versa Artists Group was founded and spearheaded by Joseph Albao.
Motivators, Mentors
When asked about her influences, she shared:
“The ARTipolo group members, they are the reason why I fell in love in doing art more. I guess I will not be where I am right now without me meeting them. Especially those old masters I’ve had conversations with, they always amaze me with their passion and wisdom; and of course, the Vice Versa Artists Group. Sir Pol Mesina Jr. Sir Mark Joseph Beloria, Sir John Albert Rico, Sir Nelson Basa, Sir Nelson Dela Cruz, Sir Jerry Contridas, Ma’am Claire De Chaves, Sir Joseph Albao Sir Raul Isidro, Sir Ombok Villamor, Sir Antipas Delotavo, these are just the few people influenced me immensely in making art. They are gentle, inspiring, and full of wisdom. Indeed, it’s true that angels walk among us, they are nice.”
Pets and Empowered Women
For Alex, her canvas will always have pets and strong and intelligent women.
“You can know an artist based on what they paint. I love animals and I look up to empowered women a lot. That is why it can be seen and reflected in most of my works. I have this dream inside of me to become a veterinarian. I want to use my hands to help animals, our pets, and wildlife, but for some reason I wasn’t able to pursue it for now. But who knows? Moreover, this is the reason why I always want to paint them (the animals), to somehow create a beautiful and safe space for them, where they cannot be harmed,” she said.
“I also paint empowered women because I simply admire them. They’re amazing! Of all of the subjects available, for me they are the best. I support them; thank God I am a woman,” she added.
Dreams and Fears
Art is not only about intellect (theory); it is also about emotions. For Alex, it is her greatest dream, to get into the hearts of people.
“My greatest dream as an artist is to touch people’s heart – To inspire them through my piece, hoping that it will give them some sense of comfort, empowerment, and some emotional support that can help them through life,” Alex shared to this writer.
On the other hand, she’s afraid of losing that ability to create art.
“I guess, my greatest fear as a creative, is to stop creating, because here in the Philippines we are perceived as poor. I don’t want to be poor, no not just financially but in life. I want to keep this feeling of abundance, being fulfilled, being inspired and being passionate. I fear that this feeling will go away, because what is life without those,” she explained.
Alex and her art, 5-10 years from now
Only 20, Agimat.net asked Alex on the vision about herself, some 5 to 10 years from now.
“For the next 5 to 10 years, I hope to see myself as an established artist who inspires people, supporting kids in need and also those who have gone astray. I want to support their love for the arts and also our young Filipino artists. I hope my artistic “voice” be heard in the art circle here in our country and even abroad. I also dream to become part of an artistic movement and voice,” she said.
Meanwhile, as Alex continues to grow as an artist, she also has been capturing the eye of jurors in national art competitions. In 2020, her work titled “Bukas, Sabay Tayong Lilipad,” was among the 25 finalists in the Shell National Art Competition while her recent work, “Maligayang Kaarawan!” was also qualified at the recently concluded GSIS National Art Competition.
To those who want to pursue arts, Alex has a message to them:
“To quote my classmate during junior high school – “There’s a different sweetness in your first love.” Let us pursue what we want. Let us be critical and passionate at the same time. We can always find people, who dream like us, let us lift each other up. Let us be a dreamer and a doer at the same time.”
