The Philippines abound with art. The most known types of art are the ethnographic and tribal ones. But if you go out on the streets and ask anyone about any obra masters, they will struggle to remember at least one of them. Luckily, J. Walter Thomson Philippines and Ayala Museum came together to properly introduce this wonderful work of art that shrouds the country in a colorful robe.
Introducing the “Obra Typeface,” an initiative that uses its nice contours to help Filipinos discover and further explore this type of art, while also uncovering more information about the actual artists that are behind it.
The team working on the project first crafted a display type, known as Imao Obra Typeface, or Imao.otf, which is inspired by the works of national artist Abdulmari Asia Imao. The artist, a native Sulu, is a sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, writer, and articulator of Philippine Muslim art and culture. It comes as no surprise that his trademark icons, such as the indigenous ukkil, sarimanok and naga motifs, have been within Filipinos’ creative genetics since forever. But now, his highly-colored pattern was integrated within the typeface, creating a rich tapestry of letters and images.
Through this project, the Manila-based agency aims to make people remember with ease who the master behind this type of artwork is. But this is only the beginning, says the agency. “Our goal is to partner with more National Artists, and through our typefaces, we get to celebrate their lives, works and names every day,” explains Brandie Tan, Executive Creative Director of J. Walter Thompson Philippines, who hopes to encourage people to discover the Filipino artists through a different kind of art.
The project was launched on May 6, 2019, with an exhibition dedicated to the Imao Obra Typeface at the Ayala Museum. During the exhibition, visitors were invited to admire a special showcase of everyday items designed using the new font. A few artists were asked to translate the typeface into merchandise items, such as jackets, hats, shoes, bags, and even home items like pots, lamps, spray can centerpieces, and also a chair. The project collaborators include Abre Linea, Aranaz, Artwork, Boyet Custodio, Drin Alejandro, Femi Cachola, Fine Time Studios, Geoff Estevez, Jappy Agoncillo, Joco Comendador, Kenneth Tan, Pako.ph, Renan Pacson, Support Your Friends, Wanderskye and Drea Dizon, Leeroy New, Ibarra Watches, and WSH.
“What I find clever about transforming artworks into a typeface is that people will now be able to use them, make it their own,” said Mariles Gustilo, director of Ayala Museum. “And as they tinker with each letter, each design, it will entice them to learn about the artist who inspired it,” he continued.
The typeface exhibition is free to the public at the Ayala Museum until May 30 and is also visible in online, at www.obratypeface.com. Moreover, anyone who wants to get inspired by the typeface can download it using the same online platform. Oh, and just so you know, it is free to download, so you can do your art in peace…
