An icon of Filipino art and humor, National Artist for Visual Arts Larry Alcala is a name instantly recognizable to those who grew up with him and his best-known series, Slice of Life. And now, to commemorate both what would have been the late artist’s 100th birthday and the 40th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, Alcala’s family estate is releasing the Slice of Life “People Power” illustration, printed for a limited collection of shirts.
Predating the Where’s Wally? comic series, Slice of Life features illustrations packed with hundreds of Filipinos going about their day, plus a tiny doodle of Alcala himself hidden somewhere in the mix for viewers to find. The series’ “People Power” print is no different, showing masses of people gathering along EDSA in 1986. Peaceful protesters dressed in yellow, nuns holding rosaries, journalists documenting the day, and people stuck in traffic all make an appearance in Alcala’s illustration, complete with soldiers and military tanks flanking the crowds.
Like in all of his Slice of Life comics, Alcala has snuck a tiny bespectacled cartoon of himself in the mix. “Yes, he’s there,” said the artist’s granddaughters. “Hint: EDSA traffic.”
Alcala’s granddaughters worked tirelessly to remaster the original piece and make it available as shirts commemorating 40 years of the People Power Revolution.
“Throughout his career, Alcala’s work has served as both a mirror and a chronicle of Philippine life and history,” as written in the collection’s official statement. “Four decades on, his ‘People’s Power’ illustration continues to resonate, reaffirming the relevance of his vision and the timelessness of his commentary on Filipino identity.”
The shirts are currently available for pre-order exclusively through the Fundacion Sanso shop until March 3.
