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, illustrations, and comics.
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 also 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. This year (2020), we are excited to bring GGSSG! to Iloilo with the generous support of Book Latté Café and University of the Philippines-Visayas.
GGSSG 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
GGSSG 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 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’
Photos of GGSSG Davao by Balud Art Network
GGSSG 4 (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
Gantala Press 