Lead artist of viral Startista Gallery in Star City reacts to public backlash
Startista Gallery, an exhibit of full-body figures of Filipino celebrities, recently opened in Star City. Although it was meant to inspire with figures of Filipino role models created by artists, the public couldn't help but compare it to the sculptures in London-based Madame Tussauds wax museum and its 20 locations around the world.
Among the personalities who have statues in the gallery were Pops Fernandez, Ashtine Olviga, Ruffa Gutierrez, Diana Zubiri, Ara Mina, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Angel Aquino, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Bea Binene, Michael Flores, Michael V., Isko Moreno, and Paolo Contis.
The public wasn't shy about pointing out how some of the figures did not look like the people they were supposed to depict.
"Maayos pa 'yung manikin sa mall," a Facebook user wrote.
"Madame Tussauds Temu version," commented another, referring to the discount e-commerce platform.
"Ba't para silang mga horror tingnan?" asked another Internet user.
One of the figures that received many of the comments was the one of Pops Fernandez, which ended up appearing slightly cross-eyed to some.
Apparently reacting to her statue, which was dressed in a royal blue gown, Fernandez posted two of her stylish headshots in now-expired Instagram Stories with the caption, "Sana po ganito man lang."
Her son Robin Nievera was more direct.
"Damn. I thought my mom's was bad," he wrote, supposedly in reference to the other figures.
Striking a balance, Ruffa Gutierrez, whose statue did suit her likeness, expressed her gratitude for being included in the gallery's lineup of celebrities.
"I landed in Manila and woke up to tons of messages about my Star City statue which was meticulously hand-sculpted and created using precision 3D printing to honor me as a Filipino achiever and outstanding role model," the former beauty queen wrote on Facebook. "I'm truly honored to be featured in this exhibit."
She did wonder, though, if her statue looked like her.
"I sincerely hope my statue (kamukha ko ba talaga?) inspires more visitors to come and experience Star City," Gutierrez added.
Lead artist on public backlash
Jerry Santos, lead artist for the Startista project, finally spoke up on the public backlash. In an interview with News5, the artist expressed hurt and a hope for more constructive reviews.
"Nalungkot ako para sa mga artist ko kasi pinag-ukulan nila ito ng panahon, oras, talento, at pagmamahal para masigurado na maganda ang kalalabasan," Santos said, adding that the project took four months to complete.
The artist maintained that criticism is okay as long as it doesn't hurt feelings.
"Kami naman po ay tumatanggap ng kritisismo. Pero sana 'wag naman 'yung masyadong harsh to the point na sobrang nakakasakit sa mga artist. 'Pag constructive, ina-accept naman namin," Santos said.
His team of artists was willing to improve on the wax figures, Santos assured the public. "Bigyan lang kami ng chance," he said.
According to Santos, the heads of the figures were made with resin print, while each of the bodies was hand-sculpted. All the figures were hand-painted.
Although his forte is making life-sized statues of superheroes and cartoon characters, Santos said Star City approached him for the Startista project. It was his first time creating such statues, he said.
Referring to the public backlash once again, Santos urged the public to hold off on their comments until they saw the gallery in person.
"Hindi nabibigyan ng justice talaga kung sa picture lang," he said. "Kaya ang message ko lang sa kanila, before sila mag-judge, kung puwede bisitahin [muna] nila. Libre naman lang pumunta dito sa Startista Gallery 'pag nag-entrance sila sa Star City."
In a Facebook post, Santos expressed his pride toward the group of artists behind the project.
"Sa lahat ng mga artists na involved dito sa Startista Gallery, gusto ko lang malaman niyo na proud ako sa inyong lahat. Hindi natin kailangan ng validation ng iba. Para sa akin, isa ito sa best project na nagawa natin," he wrote.
