FVAA – Filipino Visual Artists in Austria
FVAA is one of those organizations which has fully supported KUBŌ from the very first day without any question and never doubted its objective. Gerry, Imelda, Anna, Harold and Jam have artistically decorated our Bahay-Kubo, sculpted the KUBŌ letters for the stage, designed the gallery and the hall and created an overall aesthetic look of the whole venue. FVAA members provided an array of art pieces worth presenting in our exhibition. The artworks of some of this first generation Filipinos have influenced the identity of their children. The Sentro and KUBŌ teams are proud to present FVAA at the KUBO22 arts and culture festival.
FVAA is a group of artists and professionals founded by self-taught artists Mr. Gerardo de Guzman and Miss Imelda Perez Papai in 2019. The FVAA has eight officers and members who are responsible for all its projects and goals, which include mobilizing young people and interested Filipinos. The members’ passion and perseverance had led the team to becoming regionally recognized with award-winning artists and art instructors. They hold art classes and workshops on painting, sculpture, photography and body painting, among others. FVAA continues to enhance the members’ painting skills to develop more confidence and incorporate creativity in their daily lives. With over 40 years of painting and 30 years of teaching experience, Mr. de Guzman and the FVAA’s goal is to provide personal painting tips and guidance on how an artist creates a professional and high quality work.
FVAA members at KUBŌ festival (in alphabetical order):
Blair Siasico
Blair Siasico is an Austrian – Filipino artist based in Vienna. She started expressing herself through art at the age of four. Ever since it has been her mission to share emotions with the recipients.
Gerardo de Guzman
Go to this page.
Jam Fernández
Jam is an artist by heart. At the young age she joined and competed in some school-based art contests such as craft and lantern making. Inspired by some members of her family who are in to painting and crafts making. While working as pastry chef in the middle eastern countries and cruiseships, painting became the outlet during free time.
She joined the FVAA as one of the first members in 2019. This opened the opportunity to discover the hidden talent in visual arts in her. She participated in some group and solo exhibitions in Vienna and Laxenburg.
Janet Heiss
Janet is the eldest of the eight children. She worked as an ICU CCU nurse in FEU and KKUH Saudi Arabia. She is married to an Austrian and both are gifted with twochildren. In Austria she worked as a nurse too and retired in 2019. This was the time where she rekindled her love for arts with some paintings on tea glasses. And then she met Gerry at his exhibition at the VIC and new chapter of painting began…
Judith Bathan
She was born on December 19, 1960 at Bo. Pansipit, San Nicolas, Batangas, married to Oscar, who lives just across the Pansipit River. She came to Vienna in 1986 and worked all those years at Barmherzigen Brüder till her retirement last January 2021.
While attending meetings or just listening to something, she would unconsciously start to draw on a piece of paper or whatever is available. Then she would realize that a piece of an art had been created.
Randy Ilagan
Randy is a photographer. He covered Miss Earth 2016. He was one of the first Filipino photographers who exhibited at UN Austria. He offers his services in weddings, birthdays, communions and different occasions. He joined FVAA to further develop his talents and with an aim to help others.
Sheila Feliciano
Sheila started to draw in pencil when she was in Grade 1. Cartoon characters are her favorite subject. In 2013, she discovered her love and passion for photography. Something about it grabbed her attention – capturing moments in time. In 2018, she reconnected herself with arts thru painting as a hobby. She joined FVAA to improve her art skills and to learn some techniques. She believes that art allows you to express yourself and create whatever is in your mind, but it’s not enough to make art; you must also understand art and make your art understood by others.
Asuncion „Siony“ Schaitl
Painting allows Siony to consciously see that there is always something new to disover, strengthening her relationship with nature and environment. This gives her much joy and promotes creative process.
Trained as a registered nurse, she emigrated in the 70’s to Austria. Please also visit siony-schaitl.tumblr.com.
