Thirty-one local artists have transformed plastic bottles, packaging, and other materials collected from Recycle for Rewards bins found in select Watsons stores into compelling works of art during the “Reuse with Watsons: A Sustainability Exhibit” held at Drybrush Gallery in SM Mall of Asia.
With the theme “Reimagine, Recycle for a Better Future,” Noli Españolas’s ‘Alay sa Inang Kalikasan’ was chosen as the grand winner for its innovative use of mixed media, including repurposed plastic packaging materials, while Sven Wilbur Lim’s ‘A Cinderella Story’ was the runner-up for utilizing mixed media with resin. Both winners received cash prizes of P100,000 and P50,000, respectively, along with P10,000 and P8,000 worth of Watsons Sustainable Choices products.
The artworks are on display until August 16 at Drybrush Gallery, founded by husband and wife Jojo and Joweeh Liao. The exhibition is also featured online on Drybrush Gallery’s website.
Sharon Decapia, senior assistant vice president for Marketing, PR, and Sustainability at Watsons Philippines, said the health and beauty retailer has always been true to its promise of inspiring everyone to look good, do good, and feel great, putting that mantra into works of art.
“As most of you know, we’re very committed to driving more sustainable practices for our planet, our people, and our products. Everyone is encouraged to embrace green living and make a conscious effort to lead a more sustainable lifestyle,” Decapia said.
“We are celebrating not just the artistic talent of our artists, but also our collective commitment to a more sustainable future,” she added. “Art, as we all know, has always been a powerful medium for change. It has the capacity to inspire, ignite action, and drive conversation. And, of course, this reminds everyone that there’s beauty in trash; you just have to reimagine, reuse, and recycle.”
In a casual conversation, Joweeh expressed her delight at the second year of their collaboration with the health and beauty retailer and noted how the pieces have evolved.
“One artwork, for instance, a very distinct Acuña, gave me goosebumps when I saw it, because it’s really integrating,” Joweeh said. “The challenge is not just knowing the theme but integrating it into a piece that retains its identity and becomes a true work of art.”
“It’s not just about crafting or putting together raw elements. There’s one piece that’s really integrated, while another might not be immediately recognizable as using recycled paper,” she added. “As for the art curation, it wasn’t difficult because the artists themselves embraced the challenge. I’m very pleased with the curation, the output, and the lineup this time.”
Jojo, on the other hand, expressed hope that the art competition not only highlights the incredible talent of local artists but also inspires change. “Each artwork on display reflects the artists’ unique perspective on recycling and environmental stewardship,” he said, encouraging everyone to think creatively about how to make a positive difference.
“Partnering with the health and beauty retailer for this event has been incredibly rewarding.
The diverse range of artworks created from recycled materials not only showcases the talent of our local artists but also highlights how creativity can drive progress in sustainability,” Jojo added.
Through this initiative, Decapia said, “Watsons aims to encourage our customers to make recycling a regular part of their lives by showcasing innovative ways to transform waste into something beautiful and functional.”
