Kulay sa Tubig is an event that is highly anticipated by artists, audiences, and collectors alike hosted by Gallery Genesis. By bringing painters together in the name of the medium, the prestigious competition perseveres in championing the beloved medium of watercolor. Artists are aspiring to hone their craft and push the envelope of visual art, while others are eager to witness the art and the fruits of each artist’s potential.

The landscape of watercolor has truly flourished since Kulay sa Tubig was initiated in 1983. At the time, watercolor used to be considered as a lesser kind of form, which was only apt for studies or drafts. Gallery Genesis founders Araceli Salas and Ernesto Salas took on the mission to showcase the medium’s aesthetic nuances unique to itself: the luminosity of light, finesse of each stroke, and the fluid movement of pigment.

From the varieties of washes to blooms, gazing, and dry brush, the artist has a wide range of techniques to wield– and a true master knows the balance between spontaneity and deliberation, and that each stroke must have intention.

They are able to manipulate the shape and the flow of paint with precision and discipline, and are able to bring out its expressive qualities that provide glimpses into inner truths. Just as a small creek merges into a raging river, water itself has no master. But for the few who are able to master it, they deserve the honor and recognition.

In Kulay sa Tubig, those who have truly mastered the art and proven themselves time and time in the competitions have earned the title of a “Hall of Famer.”

Although It’s often considered one of the most difficult mediums to master, there have been no shortage of talent in the Philippines. From hundreds of entries, Gallery Genesis carefully curates only the best to be exhibited in Kulay sa Tubig. Naturally, what emerges are different facets of what it is to be Filipino, as seen in these myriad depictions of pastoral landscapes, urban sprawls, cultural heritage, historical narratives, and deeply human stories.