Homeless Filipina street artist, Jhalanie Matuan, whose street artworks were posted on Facebook by a passerby has achieved her dream solo art exhibit.
Matuan, 45 years old, has been selling her paintings around the streets of Buendia for only 50 pesos each to raise funds for her kidney problems. She says she was an awarded artist in Macau but her painful past has driven her to the streets, turning all her bad memories into a beautiful masterpiece.
Artist Coco Torre aided Matuan in setting up her exhibit. Torre first found out about the story of the homeless artist through his friend Eric Madrazo who spoke about how the unrecognized artist touched his heart.
Recognizing talent in the artworks of Matuan, Torre gave her the chance to get her works of art exhibited in a solo art show at the A Space Manila gallery in Makati City entitled “Damgo Sa Kilid Dalan” (Sidewalk Dreams). Matuan sold out all her 31 artworks exhibited.
Torre said in an interview with ABS-CBN News that it isn’t a big deal for him if other street beggars would also be given recognition because of their creative skills.
“Baka (maybe) this is just scratching the surface for more talents in the Philippines”, said Torre in a media interview noting that other homeless people and beggars with talent should also be given recognition.
Mae Catibog, a social media user, first shared Matuan’s artworks and story on social media after appreciating her works on the streets of Buendia.
