Breathing life to discarded materials

Watsons Philippines (WP), a trusted health and beauty retailer, has been taking a big step beyond self-care. It is also building paths that take care of the planet creatively.

In August last year, WP reinforced its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by holding a sustainable art competition in collaboration with Drybrush Gallery.

The exhibition titled “Reimagine, Recycle: An Art Competition for a Sustainable Future” challenged 30 artists to breathe life on discarded materials, transforming waste into an insightful work of art.

Among the talented participants, mixed media artist, muralist and art teacher Noli Española emerged as the grand winner with his winning piece “Alay sa Inang Kalikasan.”

Made from repurposed plastic packaging materials, the artwork shows a barren landscape against a vast blue sky, with a terrarium at the bottom where greenery spills out of a bottle, and plants grow beside it, sending out a message about the urgency of climate action and importance of vigilance about the environment.

In an interview, Española shared that his deep love for nature is what inspired him in creating his winning craft. Beyond advocating for the environment, he also emphasized that art is not only about aesthetics, but also about the message it sends to society as a whole.

“An artist should be a good observer, and it’s not just a matter of taking care of the environment it also involves politics, economics, spirituality, to make one’s art relevant and to invoke a certain emotion in those who can appreciate one’s artwork,” the artist said.

More than just an environmental statement, Española’s advocacy also challenges the perception of art as a privilege of the elite.

“Art shouldn’t be exclusive for the elite… art should also reach the masses,” he emphasized.

Española hopes that companies like Watsons continue to support artists in raising awareness, recognizing that visual storytelling is a powerful tool for change.

“Isn’t it the same as writing? There’s a saying, ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’… the same goes for artwork,” he said.

Española also advised aspiring artists, urging them to stay true to their passion, ignore those who put them down, and foster a sense of camaraderie rather than competition within the art community.