Tech Inside

Artworks by celebrated artists Sanso, Imao and Alcuaz now available as NFTs

Just years ago, the best works of the country’s celebrated artists were usually admired from a distance, with stanchions and thick glass panels separating the art from the viewer. Now, some of these artworks have been made more accessible to art enthusiasts and collectors as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Among these newly-minted NFTs were works from globally-renowned visual artist Juvenal Sansó and National Artists Abdulmari Asia Imao and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, according to a press release from UBX, an open finance platform.

The prolific Sansó is known for his multifaceted works, from paintings and textile designs to print making and photography. Imao, the country’s first Muslim National Artist for Visual Arts, integrated the indigenous sarimanok, ukkil, and naga motifs into his large-scale sculptures and monuments. Alcuaz, one of the successors of the fabled Thirteen Moderns, was also a prolific painter and sculptor renowned for his abstract and figurative works.

Their works were recently fractionalized as NFTs and sold at a private auction held by Artifract.io—the first tokenized NFT platform in the country and a partnership between Unit 256 Ventures Inc. and UBX. During the auction, art collectors were able to purchase premium NFT tiles of Sansó’s Euphoric Abundance, Imao’s Sarimanok Series, and Alcuaz’s Manila Bay Sunset.

Through Artifract’s proprietary token factory technology, these artworks were broken down into smaller pieces or digital grids, then sold to the public at a relatively more affordable price. Artifract’s model empowers both art collectors and ordinary individuals to participate in the NFT market. Artists, meanwhile, can make their art more accessible by showcasing and fractionalizing them as NFTs on the platform.

Even masterpieces of old were given new life and introduced to a new generation of tech-savvy art enthusiasts. David Imao, grandson of the first Muslim National Artist, shared his excitement on seeing his grandfather’s works on the NFT platform. “To see my lolo’s work in a very digital space, I think it’s something that he would have been excited about, having dabbled in different mediums. He is a National Artist for Sculpture, but he also did a lot of paintings, ceramic work, and photography. Knowing that there is this entire medium out there, a new way to experience art that showcases Mindanao culture, I’m sure he would have been excited to see it,” he said.

Artifract’s NFT portfolio isn’t limited to the visual works of Filipino artists. Last year, Artifract fractionalized the music of Pinoy Rock icon Ely Buendia and allowed fans and music lovers to immerse themselves in his music within the metaverse.

With the warm welcome and enthusiasm received by the platform, Artifract product owner Rico dela Cruz hopes to further expand their reach and democratize works from other renowned Filipino artists. “All else considered, Artifract owes its success to the local art community. We are determined to live up to everyone’s expectations and we are looking forward to partnering with more Philippine Masters in the art industry.”

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Chris Layugan