Remember this artist?
Christian Oliver “CORT” Talampas first went viral on social media in 2021 after he finished an artwork featuring his basketball idol, NBA star Michael Jordan.
Fast forward to 2023, he is again asking the help of netizens to reach out to LeBron James after he finished another artwork that took him 225 days.
“Ginawa ko ‘tong ‘Last Shot.’ Ginawa ko s’ya for 72 days. ‘Yun ‘yung time na nag-post ako sa TikTok. Kumbaga nanawagan ako sa tao [para mapansin ni Michael Jordan]. Meron akong mga naging client sinabi nila sa ‘kin na parang imposible na. Muntik na akong maniwala sa kanila. Hindi ako titigil na maniwala,” CORT told The Philippine STAR.
Through social media, he was able to reach out an individual that would help him to be in touch with Jordan’s team.
“October 2021, may nag-message sa ‘king Amerikano sa Instagram. Elite collector pala talaga siya. Sabi niya, ‘Tutulungan kita, may kaibigan ako na friend mismo ni Michael Jordan.’ Sabi nila, padala ka muna ng sample print. Papakita natin kay Michael Jordan tapos video na kung paano mo ginawa ‘yan,” he recalled.
“Pinadala ko lahat. Nag-message sila na nagustuhan ni Michael Jordan nga ‘yung artwork, ipadala ko na raw ‘yung original. Ang gusto ko lang, kung pwede, picturan n’yo na hawak ni Michael Jordan ‘tong artwork, or kung ayaw niyang pa-picture, kung saang establishment o bahay niya nakasabit. Masabi ko lang sa Pilipino na nakarating kay Michael Jordan. January 2022, nag-message sila sa ‘kin. Ito raw, may ireregalo sa’yo si Jordan. Hindi namin alam kung ano kasi surprise daw,” CORT added.
CORT received his artwork that was signed by his basketball idol Jordan. He said that he couldn’t contain his happiness during that time.
“‘Yun na ‘yung dream ko na pinaglaban ko. Dun ko na-realize na parang kailangan kapitan mo lang pala talaga ‘yung pangarap mo. Kasi kung nakinig ako sa mga tao noon, hindi ‘to aabot, eh. Baka nabenta ko ‘to, eh.Nung natapos ko ‘tong Michael Jordan, ayaw ko nang gumawa ng ganyang klaseng art kasi ang tagal,” said CORT.
He then started focusing on accepting commission arts. Until he faced one of the most heartbreaking moments of his life—his mother passed away due to cancer.
The situation led him to go back to creating time-consuming art. This time, featuring King James.
Noting, “Gusto kong maging proud ulit ‘yung nanay ko. Bago man lang siya mawala sa mundo, makagawa ulit ako ng isa pang ganito. Ginawa ko ‘yung LeBron James. ‘Yung pinili kong scene mismo ni LeBron James, ‘yan ‘yung nalagpasan niya ‘yung isang pinakamahirap, pinakamataas na score. ‘Yan ‘yung nalagpasan niya si Abdul-Jabbar.”
“Nakuha niya ‘yung goal niya personally, pero natalo ‘yung team niya. Feeling ko ganun ‘yung nangyari sa buhay ko. Nanalo ako pero bakit feeling ko talo ako?” he added.
CORT is hopeful that one day, James would notice his artwork.
“Ang goal ko, ibigay ‘to kay LeBron. Hindi ko ‘to binebenta, eh. Hindi rin ako nagmamadali. Sabi ko nga, it takes time. If it’s meant to be, mapupunta ‘yan sa kanya. Kung hindi, akin siya,” he stressed.
The online community is eager to help CORT to get James’ attention.
As of this writing, the viral video has garnered more than 3.5 million views on TikTok.
“Wag mo ibenta kay Boss Toyo,” a user said in a jest.
“Ang ganda sa paningin and iba ‘yung feelings habang tinitignan to since pinaghirapan. Good job po,” a netizen commended.
“You are insanely talented 🙏🏽 such a beautiful work of art… your mom is definitely smiling up there watching you achieve your goals 🙏🏽❤️” another said.
