Philippine artist Elito Circa has blood on his arms, literally – however solely to create art with.
Using blood taken from his personal veins, the 52-yr previous produces canvas work which have drawn each reward and criticism due to his uncommon alternative of medium.
Born in a low-revenue family with little entry to faculty provides and art supplies, Circa explored completely different mediums, together with plums and tomatoes, however it was when he scraped himself as a younger boy that his fascination with utilizing blood started.
Circa collects his personal blood earlier than portray with it in his studio. Photo: Reuters
“Every time I obtained scraped, I’d use my very own blood since bloodstains are additionally onerous to take away,” stated Circa, whereas dabbing a white canvass utilizing a paint brush dipped in blood.
Now, Circa goes to the city’s well being clinic as soon as each three months to have his blood extracted, often in increments of 500ml, which he shops in a cooler in his studio for future tasks.
“My art work is essential to me as a result of they arrive from me, it’s from my very own blood, my DNA is a part of it… My philosophy is that life is round and every little thing is a cycle, so (my blood) is a instrument that serves as a reminder of the place I got here from,” Circa stated.
After portray a 122 x 244 cm (4 x 8 ft) mural depicting the historical past of Pantabangan, the city the place he grew up, Circa has set his sights on a extra bold venture – to create in 2023 the most important “blood portray” ever on a 100m (328 ft) canvas, setting a world document. – Reuters
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