Norberto 'Peewee' Roldan on Philippine Artists as Political Participants
Norberto 'Peewee' Roldan, the artistic director of Green Papaya Art Projects in Quezon City, examines the changing functions of artists within Philippine society. Historically, artists have transitioned from merely depicting social realities to actively participating in political movements. Notable during the Marcos regime (1965–1986) were groups such as Kaisahan and PETA's street theatre. The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), founded by Lino Brocka, played a significant role in resistance efforts but went dormant in the mid-1990s before being revitalized recently. Presently, organizations like SAKA concentrate on agrarian reform. Established in 2000, Green Papaya was involved in the 2001 Second EDSA Revolution. Roldan highlights the artist's responsibility for social change, particularly in response to Duterte's drug war, while pointing out challenges in the arts sector, such as a fragmented vision and limited participation in cultural dialogues.
Key facts
- Norberto 'Peewee' Roldan is artistic director of Green Papaya Art Projects in Quezon City, Philippines, founded in 2000 and closing at the end of this year.
- Roldan founded Black Artists in Asia in 1986 and initiated VIVA EXCON, the Philippines' longest-running biennale.
- During the Marcos era (1965–1986), the Kaisahan group and PETA were prominent in resistance through Social Realism and street theatre.
- The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) was organized by Lino Brocka and reorganized recently after a hiatus.
- SAKA is an alliance of artists advocating for agrarian reform and assisting farmers, active before the pandemic in March.
- Green Papaya was involved in the Second EDSA Revolution in 2001, distributing food during protests.
- RESBAK was formed in response to extrajudicial killings under Duterte's drug war.
- Roldan highlights the lack of a common vision in the Philippine arts sector and limited artist involvement in discussions about a Department of Culture.
Entities
Artists
- Norberto 'Peewee' Roldan
- Santiago Bose
- Lino Brocka
- Joseph Estrada
- Marv Recinto
Institutions
- Green Papaya Art Projects
- Black Artists in Asia
- VIVA EXCON
- Kaisahan group
- PETA
- Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
- Negros Theater League
- SAKA
- RESBAK
- Simbayan
- Surrounded By Water
- ABS-CBN
- National Commission for Culture and the Arts
- Bayan Muna
- artreview.com
Locations
- Quezon City
- Philippines
- Visayas region
- Negros
- Manila
- London
- United Kingdom