“The Soulful and Brilliant Art of Anne Tulay”
By Elizabeth Esguerra Castillo

Pablo Picasso once said that: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” The stunning and ethereal masterpieces of the next artist we will present truly depicts soulful art with a heart!
Introducing another Global Pinoy Visual Artist to watch out for- Anne “Tulayan” Tulay from the Philippines who is also another ARTipolo Member! Let us immerse ourselves in her dreamy, surreal paintings which are all awe-inspiring and captivating.
Anne admits that she discovered her passion in painting and Visual Poetry wherein she inscribes her strong verses into her works of art. According to her: “Visual Arts and Poetry are “windows to one’s soul, a shameless voyeuristic display of emotions.”
Visual poetry incorporates graphic details like images, colors, layout, shapes, typography, and patterns into the poem to emphasize the meaning of a poem. It engages the readers on a sensory level using the visual appearance of the poem. In the case of our artist’s work, she uses her paintings combined with her evocative verses to engross the readers. The result- gripping and soulful poetry with depth and social relevance!
Tulay’s art style leans towards realism, impressionism, and abstractionism, and confesses that Visual Poetry is close to her heart. Anne composes “Tanaga”, an original Tagalog poetry in freestyle and form. She skillfully and artistically inscribes the texts in her painting repetitively. The characters used as Visual Texture result in a very captivating and hypnotic effect which further enhances the depiction of the artwork!
Our featured artist is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts a former overseas foreign worker in the Middle East for over a decade and a world traveler prior to jumpstarting her art career. She has won several awards, including Art Wars, and the 1st Yelcast Visual Poetry National Art Competition in the year 2020. She is presently based in Manila, Philippines. Her latest exhibit “Likha Sa Litlitan” in May 2023 was a successful collaboration with her husband Atty. Roland Tulay, which benefited the scholars of ARTipolo Group, Inc. She had a couple exhibit “Likha’t Tula” with her husband, which was launched last August 5, 2023, and will benefit the Alay Pag-asa Christian Foundation, Inc.

Anne feels grateful for her artistic talent and states that “giving back to society is the best way to glorify what she was blessed with.” In every work of art (whether it be visual or words) she weaves a relevant story of her personal travails and many travels. Each vivid and delicate brushstroke renders an intricate mix of a resilient journey, past, present, and future yet to be told. A secret message that she wants to impart to her viewers and patrons.

Get to know more of our very talented artist via our short interview with her:

1. At what age did you discover that you have an inclination to the Arts?
Answer: When I was in pre-school, about 5 years old, I remember thoroughly enjoying art class. It’s one of my earliest fun memories.

2. Describe your signature art style.
Answer: My style is inclined towards realism, impressionism, and abstract. Visual Poetry is also close to my heart. I write original Tagalog poetry, in Tanaga format and free form, and inscribe them on my paintings. I repeatedly write the poem until the space is filled. It’s a quirky way of using words as texture for the visual. The process is quite hypnotic and amalgamates the poetry within the painting.

3. How has Art helped you in your professional career?
Answer: I am a full-time artist now, so I would say that the skills I learned through the years are of tremendous help because I sell my works. Until now, I am still learning ways and techniques on how my personal art can reach a wider demographic.

4. What is the importance of Art in our society?
Answer: Art is not just for self-expression and personal mental health. It is also responsible for relaying complicated concepts to the masses. Research shows that 65 percent of the general population are visual learners. Hence, to truly grasp and retain an idea, people need to “see” it. Whether it’s in the form of a painting or a full ad campaign, there is power owned by the creators. This power needs to be used responsibly, to always have the best intentions for our society.

5. When did you start creating Visual Poetry?
Answer: During the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, I won the first Yelcast Visual Poetry National Art Competition (online). I initially didn’t understand it, so I submitted two separate entries – one painting and one original poem. My mentor and the founder of Visual Poetry Philippines, Yelcast, explained that the two needed to be combined. The two forms of art, both visual and written, immortalize a unique and compelling thought by the artist.

6. What is your most favorite Visual Poetry that you created and why?
Answer: “Babae, Sino Ka?” is my favorite Visual Poetry painting. It is a metaphorical statement that empowered me through my roughest times. The poetry draws from a place of self-acceptance, and resilience.

7. Do you still have plans of exploring other art genres and why?
Answer: I would love to explore encaustic medium and incorporate the technique with my Visual Poetry paintings, in the future.

8. Among the art exhibitions that you have participated in, which one is the most memorable and why?
Answer: My first back-to-back exhibit with my husband in Cavite, Philippines earlier this year. Since my retirement from being an overseas foreign worker, I had my share of insecurities about my art career. This exhibit strengthened my resolve to stay in the business, with my family’s full support. It was a successful one, which sold over 60 percent of our works on the opening day itself. The exhibit not only benefited Artipolo Group, Inc. scholars; it also gave me fulfillment and reason to share my talent and give back to society.

9. When did your art journey start?
Answer: I am in the early stages of my art career since I am led to do this full-time. I still have a lot to learn.

10. Do you believe that Art should stir the senses?
Answer: Yes and no. Sometimes, art makes you feel a host of emotions. On the other hand, art is literally everywhere. It’s also okay to feel nothing. It just exists.

11. What is your message for young and aspiring artists out there?
Answer: It is easy to fall into the “commercialized world of art”, where you may feel that you need to paint what would likely “sell” to the public. Know that it’s normal, and just try not to lose yourself. Paint how you feel. You are the first person who should be happy with what you are doing.