MANILA, PHILIPPINES – For CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee 2024 Derek Tumala, art is more than a discipline. It is a way of living, a lens through which to explore the world, and a practice that bridges curiosity with connection.
From an early age, Tumala displayed a natural curiosity about the world. As a child, he spent countless hours paging through his family’s encyclopedias, fascinated by the intersections of nature, geography, and history. This pursuit of knowledge guided him into art school, where he discovered not only the foundations of artmaking but also the possibilities of merging creativity with science and ecology.
Following graduation, Tumala expanded his practice by embracing emerging technologies and venturing into diverse art spaces from independent, artist-initiated initiatives to major institutions and museums. His work gravitates toward media art, experimental practices, and ecological inquiries, often challenging conventions of materiality and representation.
“I taught myself about emerging technologies and familiarized myself with contemporary possibilities. I expanded my art practice by traveling to different places, researching and working in different kinds of art spaces – from independent, artist-initiated to art institutions, museums, and commercial galleries,” shared Tumala.
Tumala’s process is deeply attuned to everyday experiences, finding inspiration in both the mundane and the extraordinary. A book, a film, a museum visit, or simply observing life around him can spark new ideas. Even what might seem uneventful to others – such as silence, solitude, or chance encounters becomes fertile ground for exploration.
“Our practice serves as a model on how to live and articulate what life or living is all about,” related Tumala.
At the heart of his practice lies a belief in art as a vehicle for truth. For Tumala, the artist’s role is not only to create but also to contribute to society’s collective psyche.
This philosophy underpins his upcoming work for the Thirteen Artists Awards exhibition at the National Museum of the Philippines in October. His piece, provisionally titled Vanishing Tribes, draws from research on climate change and ecological decline. The two-channel video will juxtapose data on endangered Philippine species with reflections on the slow erosion of artmaking practices -both seen as “endangered” in today’s socio-political and technological climate.
Tumala is no stranger to criticism, which he describes as a double-edged sword. “Criticism can either be a stab or a prick. In the end, you fight for what you believe in with a nudge. Don’t kill, persevere,” he enthused.
Despite the challenges of a career in the arts, Tumala encourages young artists to embrace uncertainty and keep the faith. “Enjoy life, work hard, be persistent, focus, and believe in yourself.”
Now on its 55th year, the CCP TAA honors visual artists under the age of 40 who seek to “restructure, restrengthen, and renew artmaking and art thinking that lend viability to Philippine art.”
The CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division (CCP VAMD) received 82 nomination forms from various art groups, museum and gallery directors and curators, art critics, art educators, and previous TAA recipients around the country.
After careful and thorough deliberations of the 108 nominated artists, the committee named Catalina Africa, Denver Garza, Russ Ligtas, Ella Mendoza, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Issay Rodriguez, Luis Antonio Santos, Joshua Serafin, Jel Suarez, Tekla Tamoria, Derek Tumala, Vien Valencia, and Liv Vinluan as recipients of this prestigious award.
For more information about the CCP Thirteen Artists Awards, you can visit www.thirteenartists.culturalcenter.gov.ph and the CCP official website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). You may also follow the official CCP and CCP VAMD social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for updates on future events and public programs.
