by Fred Castañeda
In this article we feature ASAT Alumnus Joseph Siriban Clavita and his decisiveness to attain his career goal. He narrates his career from his High School Vocational Training to becoming a self-employed Licensed Industrial Electronic Technician while he pursued his lifelong dream to be an Artist.
JOSEPH SIRIBAN CLAVITA
Artist, Art Curator
Aparri, my hometown, is known for its majestic shoreline with its foamy waves continuously racing towards the glittering shore. During my young days, after school, my friends and I used to go to the beach and play along the sea’s clear water. It was inspiring to see and collect some colorful shells. This is where my inspiration as an artist began. Memories of these items and nature’s beauty became the subject of my paintings.
After graduating from ASAT in 1978 with Industrial Electricity as my Trade Course, I made up my mind to enroll in Fine Arts in one of the leading Universities in Manila but lack of financial resources frustrated my plan. With my Industrial Electricity Trade Course at ASAT, I decided to take up Industrial Electronic Technician and enrolled at Guzman Institute of Electronics in Sta. Cruz, Manila. In 1981, I obtained my license and became self-employed. As I build my business, I never forgot my first love which is Art. Although I was not able to achieve a college degree in Art, my interest in becoming an Artist never fade and continuously find ways to attain it. In 1984, my sister who was then working at Heritage Art Center, Quezon City, introduced me to an Art Master so he can guide me on what to do in pursuing my dream to be an Artist. I apprenticed under Antonio Ko, Danilo Santiago, Roger Guttierez, the late Professor Racarte Puruganan, Amor Lamarrosa and the Late Dean Jose Joya, a National Artist. All of them are my mentors and encouraged me to join various group exhibits. I later became a member of various Art Associations and expanded my art community.
In 1990 my first group exhibit was held at the National Museum, Manila. In 1994 I won at a competition of “Diwa ng Sining”. Then, in 1995, I had my First Solo Art Exhibit at Caravan Art Gallery, Katipunan QC. My Second Solo Art Exhibit was held at Galleria Aurora in 1998. My Third Solo Art Exhibit was in Casa Mia in 1998. Aside from these, I joined more than 70 art group exhibits sponsored by organizations and associations such as the National Museum, CCP, PNB, Manila Hotel and the Visual Artists Cooperative of the Philippines (VACOOP) founded by the late Dean Jose Joya. In 1996, I enrolled for Art Workshop lessons at the University of the Philippines (UP), Diliman, Quezon City. Since then, I committed myself fully in this creative art.
Throughout my career, I was able to develop and concentrate my distinct art style which is Modern Realistic Impressionism. This style was more appreciated by the visual art community. I like to paint marine creatures because I grew up near the sea and observed that our marine life are fast disappearing because of exploitation of foreign fishermen and businesses. Even if people are not culturally aware or conscious of the environment, they will always find a picture of Mother Nature in my artwork. I recreate this fondness in canvass with under water scenes, showing mollusk shell fishes in their happy state. I paint with heart producing collages of people and sea animals in a surrealistic manner.
I have held 15 Solo Art Exhibit Shows in the Philippines aside from another group exhibits in Canada, Hong Kong, South Korea. My work was published in 8 different coffee table books, different magazines and newspapers. My journey in the world of visual arts indeed had gone a long way from nature’s inspiration along the seashores of Aparri to different Galleries in other countries. Every stroke of my brush is a “fortune” worthy of collection. I am grateful for the meritorious awards and accolades given for my work as an artist. I dedicate them with gratitude to all my great Master Artists who shared with me their individual art experience of many years. Aside from individual commissions for custom artwork, my artworks are displayed and available at 88 Art Gallery, White Plains, Katipunan Road, Quezon City and at the 222 Art Gallery located at 22 Aguirre Street, BF Homes, Parañaque.
My career as an Artist was brought upon by an early love for the wealth of the sea and recreate them through my paintings. The gift of talent given to each of us by God will make us search a path for it to come through. Look for it within you and once you find it develop it as it will bring you joy and fulfillment. If you do not succeed on your first try, your destiny will guide you until you reach it. But first, dedicate yourself to God and you will receive the best gift you will ever receive. For each one is given a gift of talent in different forms.
