Typhoon Ulysses swept across Luzon last November 11, leaving many of our countrymen vulnerable in its wake. The torrential downpour, and raging floods that followed brought about insurmountable wreckage to many parts of the island.

In the aftermath of this natural disaster, a generous outpouring of help came from the local art community. Immediately after the skies cleared, painters, photographers, printmakers, and sculptors alike opened up their online stores for commissions at affordable prices solely for the benefit of those affected. Most of these artists chose beneficiaries close to their hearts— ranging from the shoemakers of Marikina to the many left stranded, perched for dear life on rooftops in Cagayan.

The relevance of art has been questioned over and over again in the past year, especially with the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, these artists have shown how art persists in the midst of adversity and struggle— and in fact, comes to the aid of others. Through their actions, they’ve proven that art does not exist in a vacuum— art is, and always has been, deeply intertwined with the human experience of struggle, hope, and tenacity.

The ‘earth exhibit’ online auction, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and the growing art-focused social enterprise Bid For the Future (BFF), shares in this same spirit of harnessing art as a vehicle to giving back to those most in need during these troubling times.

Each artist specifically created or curated works from their collections for the auction. As a fitting tribute to the auction beneficiary, the 209 Dumagats and their families living in WWF’s conservation site, Ipo Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan, the works of art revolve around themes of nature, environment, and the connections and interdependencies between us and our surroundings.

BFF founder, Joaquin Lerma shares, “By protecting our watersheds, we can help control the amount of water that flows into our rivers and lakes, thereby lessening their potential for damage to property and loss of lives, in addition to increasing public preparedness.”

Scroll through to get a glimpse of the evocative and advocative lots to be offered at the ‘earth exhibit’ online auction on Saturday 5 December at 2 pm.