Gandang-Ganda sa Sariling Gawa! (GGSSG!) is an annual all-women art fair organized by Gantala Press and conceptualized with the Cultural Center of the Philippines Intertextual Division. First conducted in 2018, the event calls for women creators to come together for a day to sell and showcase their works such as books, zines, stickers and prints, comics, crafts and accessories.
The titular phrase “Gandang-Ganda sa Sariling Gawa”—finding one’s own work beautiful—is what the event is all about, giving women artists the avenue to celebrate themselves and one another, and furthering the conversation on the importance of spaces for women creators in the country. The event is free for both sellers and guests, inviting everyone to participate and support art made by women.
GGSSG! was brought to Davao City in September 2019 with the help of Balud Art Network, Better Living Through Xeroxography, University of the Philippines-Mindanao, Ateneo de Davao University, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. In 2020, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines sponsored GGSSG! in their premises in Quezon City.
The first GGSSG! to be held after the pandemic was in September 2022 with the theme, “Laban sa Paglimot: Never Again, Never Forget” at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. This was organized in collaboration with ARMD – Artists Reject Marcos-Duterte.
GGSSG! Naga (2024)
On August 16, GGSSG! was held at Ateneo de Naga University in partnership with the ADNU Creative Endeavors Council, Ateneo Literary Association, Naga City Arts & Culture Coalition, and Rigmat 2024.
GGSSG! Bantayog ng mga Bayani (2023)
Gantala Press, as a convenor of ARMD (Artists Reject Marcos-Duterte), held a special iteration of GGSSG (Gandang Ganda sa Sariling Gawa!) on September 11, 2022 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. As a nod to ARMD’s namesake and objectives, GGSSG 2022 was themed “Laban sa Paglimot,” a protest action against the blatant attempts at disinformation and historical revisionism under the Marcos-Duterte regime.
We continue to reject the current Marcos-Duterte regime built on electoral fraud, violence, plunder, and mass disinformation. We join people’s calls in demanding justice for victims of human rights violations under Martial Law, and under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s murderous national policies on drug war, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism.
GGSSG! CHR (2020)
“Nakita naming magandang venue [’yung GGSSG art fair] para maipakilala yung aming produkto. Sayang yung art, anong silbi nya? Syempre sumasalamin sya sa buhay ng mga tao. Hindi lang naman ’to simpleng basta nagtitinda, nakikita rin natin na may iba-ibang issues na isinusulong sa kababaihan, sa problema sa ekonomiya.”
– The Power of Art in the Hands of Women who Persist and Resist
GGSSG! Davao (2019)
“Dito [in zines], mapapalabas mo ang creative and conceptual thinking as an artist, tapos consumption to creation. So dati nagcoconsume tayo, dito nagcrecreate tayo. Sa process ng zine-making, andyan ang unity, naipapakita ito through collaboration.”
– Using zines urged as mass media are ‘under threat’
GGSSG! CCP (2019)
“In spite of the collective female struggle, a beam of hope shines upon the local art scene. In recent years, we’ve seen more and more all-women art events and press fairs where female creators can get together and sell their work.”
– The Importance of All-Women Small Press Fairs
GGSSG! CCP (2018)
“Self-publishing isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but it is definitely gratifying. Seeing all the work you’ve done materialize into a piece of art your readers will enjoy is one of the best feelings in the world.”
– What I Learned from Self-Publishing My First Zine
