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[av_heading heading=’NO FILTER | Arts and letters’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RHICK LARS VLADIMER ALBAY
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Saturday, June 24, 2017
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WORDS can be beautiful on their own. Certain words like “eventually,” evoking waiting and longing; “surreal” stirring up moments of strong emotion and unexplainable highs. But written in ornate script, masterfully executed by hand, these words take on an even more alluring mold.
“Surreal” is exactly how Denise Marie Silva describes how she feels when people appreciate her work. “Someone came up to me and said it’s inspiring that you’re living by your passion, it was heartwarming to hear,” shares Denise.
Denise had her first brush with calligraphy at the age of 11, during her Drafting and Lettering classes in Elementary School. Years from then, she continued her interest in Calligraphy and Lettering, eventually finding her calling and pursuing it as her passion.
A B.A. History undergrad at the University of the Philippines – Miag-ao, she had to halt her schooling unexpectedly to help provide for her family. Feeling unfulfilled and abhorring the repetitive hours, she paved a new path for herself. “I used to work at a call center, but one day I decided I don’t have to do this,” shares Denise.
Putting her work out into the world and starting her own business, a Caligraphy hub Tigbato (named after the Hiligaynon word for ‘letters’), Denise’s elaborate handiwork now adorn the walls and counters of several shops and restaurants all over the city. Most notable are the chalk-rendered menu for Bistro Carcosa’s bar, the framed phrases of encouragement at the former Fuel.ph, and the new Hugot wall at Funatix.
“It’s not as simple as letters, you have to think: how do I make these words and letters beautiful and stand out?” reflects Denise about her craft. She shares that she aims to be a part of a community of letterers and crafters here in the city that will foster creative growth.
Denise expresses a deep love for what she does. Reflecting on the value of not only her work, but also of other artisans who do things by hand, she shares “When you support them, you’re not just buying their products, you’re buying their time, their energy, their resources and ideas, at the same time you’re helping them pursue their passion.”
“If it gives you drive every day, pursue it,” is her advice to other young creatives. Adding for budding calligraphers and letterers, “There are many ways to show calligraphy, don’t limit yourself to pen and paper.”
Denise shares that wondering the city, she sees vacant walls and abandoned lots not as eyesores, but as a challenge. “I like to daydream and think what could I do to make this wall better?” I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of her work soon. (maverhick.blogspot.com/PN)
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