The Artisan and the Guilds

Have you ever wondered why some examples and creative production have survived to this day?
Museums are packed with numerous artifacts and interesting objects from all over the world that have
survived centuries for us all to see. Magnificent structures that are often appreciated not only on their
historical significance but more so for their aesthetic characteristics that render them unique become
tourist destinations for those who wish to explore and see the remarkable façade, interior, and even the
minutest of details up close.

Contributory factors behind the process of art creations:

 Materials * emergence of technology

Centuries passed, wars destroyed most of the world’s greatest structures, but some survived. The craft
education relinquished its pedestal in the society and the world of arts, in which regulation was set in
place. Here, skills qualification was needed for an apprentice to register under a particular craft guild.
These were prevalent during the Middle Ages particularly during the thirteenth to the fifteenth century,
where towns had formalized groups of artisans or craftsmen who took on particular specialization or trade
like shoemakers, textiles, and glass workers, carpenters, carvers, masons, armorers, and weapon-makers,
among others. Collaboration between the artists and artisans became evident.

Guilds were a type of social fellowship, an association structured with rules, customs, rights, and
responsibilities. With a lifetime commitment to a particular trade, an artisan develops immense skill and
expertise in the craft.

A master artisan or craftsman would hire apprentices who undergo training, in this case, artistry and
technology flourished under one roof because the transfer of knowledge and skills were done.

The culture of artisans became prevalent in the Philippines as well, particularly during the Spanish
colonial period. Formerly done with the spirit of the communal and the every day, patronship changed the
way art was perceived. This was both for religious and secular art: artisans existed in the orientation of
depicting religious images and scenes. Friars provided references, life-size secular paintings, and
monuments of saints propagated as well as religious icon subjects became the theme. Artists and artisans
in Paete, Laguna, earned respect in the world of sculpture. Paintings inside the church and its ceilings
were imitated from the works of Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci. Later, they can afford Ilustrados
stirred the world of art in their own tastes and likes since they had money to pay for their whims.

One key example that illustrated the systemization of art instruction – a combination of sorts of the
guild and the art school- was the establishment Damian Domingo of the Academia de Debujo. Known as
the best tipos del pais painter, this school specialized in teaching the miniaturismo style of painting along
with the tenets of classical European painting. Eventually, other schools emerged teaching other genres
such as bodegones (still life) and paisajes (landsape).

The Artist and His Studio

Artists claiming authorship for their works by affixing their mark onto the surfaces of their paintings
were big milestones in the history of the artist. Combined, these resulted in a wider variety of artworks,
not just in form, but more in style and technique. The site that saw this shift was a very personal space for
the artist himself, which is the studio.

Today, artist studios have been a place of interest for the public. It is interesting to see and learn
where creativity manifests itself, especially since an artist’s studio is an extension of the artist himself.

In the past, artists, together with their apprentice, stays in a place other than their homes, to do all the
required tasks in preparing an artwork, where the mixing of paints and production are usually a long
process.

The beginnings of the Industrial Revolution had an interesting ramification for artists. A compendium
of events released the artists from the limitations that affected the way in which they produced their
works. These included the availability and portability of materials (i.e. foldable easels and paint in tubes)
and the reliance on the wealthy patrons to place a commission. More painters enjoyed painting on their
own behalf, creating works they wanted to create. It was during this time that a host of styles developed
side-by-side, allowing artists to fully grasp the potential of artistic license with minimal (to no)
consideration for the prevailing tastes and stylistic preferences. Before, artists question the merits of
stringent artistic training and education, but later in the 1900s art was fully liberated from the traditions of
the past. Artists found the freedom to articulate their distinct aesthetic way of creative production.
Five Major Players in the World of Art:

1. Artists: They are the prop, the mainstay of the art world! They make art, but is it good enough? Their
beautiful vision and creative endeavors have to be recognized and appreciated to help build a career
and open up opportunities. The artwork needs to be valued and receive serious consideration by
galleries, exhibitions, museums and collectors alike.

2. Dealer: Dealers are essentially the supporters and promoters of an artist’s work. Their primary role is
to spot talent, nurture an artist’s career, generate exposure and establish his/her reputation. An art
dealer handles the advertising, public relations and the mounting of exhibitions for an artist in
exchange for a commission at the sale of the work.

3. Curators: Curators have an eye and passion for all art forms. They use their extensive knowledge of
the subject and organizational skills to coordinate exhibitions at museums, galleries or public spaces.
Curators are responsible for the conceptual development, design, layout and the execution of an art
show. Art curators also research artists and write catalogue essays.

4. Art Critics: They analyze, evaluate and interpret the aesthetic value and significance of artwork that is
displayed at galleries, museum exhibitions, private or public showings. Critics also comment and pass
judgement on the technical factors, theme and artistic expression of the art being reviewed. Critics may
work for a magazine, newspaper website or choose to freelance.

5. Collectors: It is difficult to imagine the artistic landscape without collectors. They are an integral part
of the art market that is keeping it afloat. The contributions of art collectors are vital for the very
existence of artists, dealers, galleries, and auction houses. Prominent collectors are very influential and
can create recognition of an unknown artist by purchasing his work. In fact, the majority of artworks
housed in museums and galleries are donated by collectors. ( https://www.mojarto.com/blogs/5-key-
players-of-the-art-world-you-need-to-know (Links to an external site.)

Production Process:

The very reason why different art styles, periods, and movements were made possible, is because there
was a form of flexibility given to artists in terms of how to conceptualize and execute their ideas into
reality. But this does not mean there is no guiding principle that governs the general process of art
production.

1. Preproduction –The artist always begins with an idea that he wants to express or communicate with his
audience. It may not necessarily be fully motivated, and some form of exposure, research, and other
approaches may be explored to get the idea long before actually making the artwork. The idea may
take a while to form or may come as swift as a bolt of lightning.

2. Production – Some artists, however, birth their ideas when material manipulation is already underway.
This is when preproduction sometimes seeps into the production stage. The execution of the art may
take a variety of forms such as painting, sculpture, tapestry, photograph, film, a routine (dance), or a
track or composition (music). Some artworks rely on precise and skilled execution, while others need
only intuition and a kind of justified decision making in the manipulation of material.

3. Postproduction- Once an artwork is finished, it will then be decided on how it will be circulated not
only in the art world but the wider public as well. If the artist decides that he alone should see the
artwork, so be it. Art exhibits in museums and galleries usually encompass this stage. A message is
almost always embedded in the artwork and it is the hope of the artist that his audience comes across
it, or takes from something that is his and his alone.

Notes: Gathering and sourcing the materials needed for the creation of the artwork is either subsumed
under preproduction or the production stage. Either way, materials form one of the most crucial aspects
that inform the direction, quality, and the final output itself.

Mediums and Techniques:

Medium is the mode of expression in which the concept, idea, or message is conveyed.

i.e. acrylic on canvass, watercolor on paper, etc.

The technique of the artwork shows the level of familiarity with the medium being manipulated. It
alludes to the necessity of additional tools or implements (i.e. hammer and chisel may come in handy for
sculptors), or consideration of time (i.e. the behavior of different kind of paint especially in drying time
requirements), and the specificity of the site of creation (i.e. indoor or outdoor production requirements).

Engagement in Art:
 The defining roles and nature of exhibitions have had an interesting evolution, changing alongside the
demands of the society that purports to partake in its display.

The art exhibition by its nature, holds mirror up to society, reflecting its interests and concerns while
at the same time challenging its ideologies and preconceptions.

One of the most common platforms to engage in art is through exhibitions either at museums or
galleries. It may be long term or permanent hangs, or it may be temporary or periodically changing. Aside
from exhibits, artwork may be used in classroom instructions, or marketing ads, etc.

Award and Citations:

After an artist has spent considerable time in honing his skills, establishing the relevance of the body
of his works, and even gaining respect from his colleagues in the world of art, he may be considered or
nominated for awards and citations.

In the Philippines, at present, an awardee receives the following: (1) the rank and title, as proclaimed
by the President of the Philippines; (2) a medallion or insignia and a citation that will be read during the
conferment; (3) cash awards and a host of benefits ; (4) a state funeral and burial at the Libingan ng mga
Bayani ; and (5) a place of honor and designated area during national state functions, along with
recognition or acknowledgment at cultural events.

Notes – GAMABA (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) or The National Living Treasures Award was
created in 1992 under R.A. No. 7355 under the jurisdiction of the National Commission for Culture and
Arts (NCCA) conducts the search for the finest national artist in the Philippines with strict qualifications.