Last June while we were vibing at the Don’t Tell Nanay, DJ Ako! Party, we took the time to wander around in between sets at the building where Anima Art Space is located.
Just a floor above Anima Art Space is Alternative Function or ALT FUNC—a newly opened events space for arts and culture enthusiasts. This space opened only last month, June 2023, and had its first event on Independence Day, where it was filled with music, live art, and a drag performance.
A few days later, they had GD⌣HND Makers Market—a mini art convention for craft makers and artists. Going through those brown doors was like a portal to another enchanting world. Through our eyes, the arrangement of the space was very refreshing. And upon chilling and exploring at ALT FUNC, we discovered some local D.I.Y artists you should look out for.
GAMÁ-Arts n’ Crafts Collective (@gama.artsandcrafts)
Aside from selling jewelry, and art prints, the main highlight at GAMÁ is their crocheted apparel. From summer tops, bandanas, to kaleidoscope-colored and -patterned bucket hats, anyone who’ll pass by will catch these colorful items at the corners of their eyes.
As for me, I purchased their forest green bucket hat with sunflowers on them. Surprisingly, it evoked the nostalgic 5-year-old girl in me because it reminded me of a bucket hat I used to wear all the time when I was a child. And for sure, in the future, I’ll bring my friends and also myself to future conventions to visit the booth of GAMÁ–Arts n’ Crafts Collective.
Check them out on Instagram and be inspired (to buy or create) bucket hats!
KRISELDA FREEDOM MERCH
Beside GAMÁ’s spot is also a table filled with trinkets that are sights to see. Twinkling and colors shimmering—these earrings, bracelets, and pins have more to them that meets the eye. Each of them are specially made by detainees who were unjustly tried at some time; making and selling these novelties are a way to support their loved ones as well as themselves.
And certainly, these beautiful jewelries are something that you won’t regret buying, especially if you are into fairy-like aesthetics. From rainbow advocacy stickers, women-centered pins, to Mariposa earrings, and floral-charmed bracelets—it really is inspiring to own at least one of these gems.
Know more about KRISELDA’s advocacy and follow them on Facebook.
Karize Uy (@fromabrokenoven)
In a place filled with colorful sights, ambient chatter, and ornate tables—one artist spot made us a bit more curious. A person quietly reading their book, in front of them are minimal copper bracelets, what seems to be like clean white booklets, and a 3 dimensional hexagon with serif words—personally, I can’t help but ask what these art are all about.
Karize Uy is an artist-writer and it was an honor for them to share their concepts with us. One of their zines, things also look good from behind, are the backs of photographs with scribbles of what the pictures are, making you wonder what must have been on the other side. And my favorite is the 3D paper hexagon with cryptic words that are actually feelings, thoughts, or outcomes from difficult conversations you have with people.
Fun fact: They also have a baking account! Message Karize Uy on Instagram to ask about their art, order a batch of cookies while you’re at it!
SUBSPACE (@svbspqce)
Further into this enchanted world of crafts and culture, artist SUBSPACE creates collections of collages and zines; fragmented pieces and fleeting photographs deconstructed and assembled back together.
Flipping through one of their zines, AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT; AMPUTATIONS, FRAGMENTS, amidst the cut-out photos, splattered paint, and scrawled-up scribbles—you’ll notice scanned pages reminiscent of legal documents and novels. Nevertheless its meaning or the beauty of its ambiguity, their art is inspiring especially for artists interested in maximalism or any type of collage-making.
Visit SUBSPACE on Instagram for more wondrous deconstructions and creations of art.
Truly a world filled with wondrous local DIY artists, hopefully more of them bloom and inspire hundreds of peoples with their skills.
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