VANCOUVER, 01 March 2024 – Two Filipina artists, Marianne Valdez and Mara Cortez, won the Golden Brush Title during the Battle of the Brush 43: Season 8 Grand Finale held at the Heritage Hall on 01 March 2024.
Consul Ericka Anna Abad and Cultural Officer Ma. Lyra Ocampo attended the competition to support Marianne and Mara as they competed with other teams of talented artists who were also winners of the previous Battle of the Brush contests.
Marianne is a Filipina visual artist born and raised in Surrey, BC whose art is inspired by her curiosity about the links between the natural world and her heritage. The daughter of first-generation immigrants, Marianne aims to heal and connect through the stories and captivating imageries of her art.
Mara, on the other hand, is a queer Filipina artist who embraces art as the universal language of connection. Mara is a former healthcare worker who has returned to her true calling as an artist. She draws her inspiration from her rich heritage and personal experiences.
Battle of the Brush is a live painting competition where multiple teams of artists compete in a time-limited competition before their spontaneous collective works are displayed and voted on by local art lovers and people in attendance.
For this Grand Finale, Marianne and Mara painted three young women frolicking in a river on a lovely sunny day as a tribute to the National Women’s Month and women empowerment. Through their artwork titled “Ligaya,” Marianne and Mara bested three other teams to win the Golden Brush Trophy, $1,000 cash prize and an art exhibition at the Capulet Art Gallery.
