Artist’s Spotlight

McViñas

Mark Anthony Talion Viñas (b. 1983) stands as a versatile visual artist whose roots trace back to the quaint town of Tinambac Camarines Sur, before he moved to Catanduanes, where his earliest recollections of artistry began to blossom. As a precocious five-year-old, his innate passion for drawing manifested itself as he etched impromptu sketches into the earth with a simple stick, well before he could wield pencil and paper. Recognizing his burgeoning talent, his family, educators, and peers rallied behind him, encouraging him to nurture and refine his innate gift.

Mark’s journey took a pivotal turn when he assumed the role of Art Editor at the CSC Statesman, the official student publication of the Catanduanes State Colleges. Here, he distinguished himself, amassing numerous accolades for his editorial cartoons and literary graphic illustrations. In a groundbreaking achievement, Mark became the first Catanduanes student to clinch the Highest Pointer Award, bestowed by the Bicol Association of Tertiary Schools Publication Advisers. Further solidifying his reputation, he was honored as one of the Top 5 Higher Individual Pointers at the Luzon-wide Higher Education Press Conference Individual Competition. Mark’s artistic path also led him to membership in the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, and he was an active student legislator at his institution. 

However, in 2005, Mark underwent a transformative experience that altered the course of his artistic expression. This journey has encouraged him to delve into the essence of human existence, intertwining his artistry with the realm of faith. Drawing inspiration from his family and divine beliefs, Mark is committed to integrating faith and art, using various media and approaches to create thought-provoking pieces. He continually pushes his artistic boundaries, combining realistic and abstract elements, and experimenting with mediums such as pencil, watercolor, acrylic, oil, and collage. His journey as an artist has taken him both locally and internationally, with exhibitions spanning from 2015 onwards. 

Mark’s inclusion in organizations like the Art Association of Novaliches in 2018 and the Filipinas Institute for the Advancement of Arts and Culture (FILARTS) in 2019 attests to his growing influence in the art world. Notably, he held his inaugural solo exhibition in 2017 at Word International Christian Ministries in Quezon City, followed by group exhibitions in various locations. His artistry has also resonated globally, with exhibitions in Singapore (July 2019), QingDao, China (September 2019), and Penang, Malaysia (February 2020).