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“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live,” French progenitor of modern sculpture Auguste Rodin said about heart in art. This is often depicted as a rendering of the heart shape in various permutations of love in its limitless interpretations.
As organized by the Office of the Mayor of Mandaluyong City in cooperation with the Kapisanan ng mga Pintor sa Pilipinas (KPP), the HeART (Kalayaan sa Sining) group exhibit explores this theme at the Atrium Building, Mandaluyong City hall in celebration of the National Arts Month and Valentine’s Day from Feb. 23 to 26, 2016.
Considered both Love Month and National Arts Month, it provides the theme of HeART (Kalayaan sa Sining). It will feature visual translations of theme by selected contemporary artists their own idea of love and art form combined using the media of their preference. Thus, the exhibit’s title.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON. HeART (Kalayaan sa Sining) features KPP as founded by Mayor Benhur Abalos and Rogelio “Maestro” Orobia in 1995 and organized by his son, Abe Orobia, and Ral Arrogante in 2016.
Maestro Orobia has been active in the art scenario since 1983. A Master Art from Thompson Education Direct, he is an event organizer, art educator, civic leader, theologian, philanthropist, writer, media broadcaster, photographer and sculptor. Blessed with multi-faceted talents and skills, he is rated total man of art.
As an artist, Maestro Orobia’s works are described by critics as fashioned by an artist with no such corruption in his heart pertaining to his unique rendition of colors and sense of style. His numerous art collectors, good media reviews, followings and side-by-side successful exhibitions are convincing affirmation of his strength as a painter.
As its president, Abe who is a professor and lecturer organized KPP to help artists in various fields. In 1995, ex-Comelec and MMDA Chairman Abalos purchased Abe’s prophetic tiger mural when Mandaluyong was not yet a Tiger City. Last year, Mayor Abalos sponsored the group exhibit of the Orobia family including the patriarch, Maestro Orobia.
When they were asked to hold another family exhibit this year, they proposed to include other artists from Mandaluyong City and other locations, leading to this group exhibit.
HeART (Kalayaan sa Sining) is held with the valued assistance of Nolan Angeles, head of the Cultural Arts Department of Mandaluyong City.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS. The exhibit features the works of members of the Mandaluyong Artists League with Arogante as president.
Arrogante is a self-thought artist who ingeniously puts together copper parts into witty metal sculptures. He has assembled clocks, animals or anything with wheels and wings from copper used as electrical, automotive, or computer parts. The basic form of the objects depicted are shaped by creatively tying or connecting copper scraps together. Some sculptures derived from Arrogante’s everyday experiences and surroundings can be manipulated and moved by the viewers.
Arrogante balancing wires Chop-chop Fish will be installed together with the shark sculpture, Anak ng Pating. Wellers Vicencio’s oil on canvas Thru Thick and Thin portrays the outmost love of a man and woman passionately locking lips and holding hands while wearing a common bracelet to symbolize oneness and togetherness under all circumstances, no matter how difficult.
Dan Libor’s acrylic on canvas Walang Pagbabago is a sarcastic commentary of love of country depicting Dr. Jose Rizal biking in our time above a panorama of environmental degradation.
Rene Canlas’ painted the plein aire watercolor Lovers Fountain during a visit at Pinto art museum in Marikina City for its nostalgic and romantic setting.
The typical love story of an Overseas Filipino Worker inspired Emman Nicasio’s diptych Long-Distance Relationship a.k.a. #LDR reflects his situation when he was based in Singapore. The pets that the couple are cuddling represent the thing they left with their love ones which resonates the line “I left a piece of me with you.” But despite the mushiness, these cute cuddles as replacement subject of affection ease the couple’s sadness for each other.
Ethel Dimacuha mixed media on canvas Mix Match 2 depicts her first love, art. Non-objective and subjective at the same time, she collaged different found objects on a textured canvas and let her creative spirit flow freely as she applied and combined colors that are dictated by her heart.
Coneth Amido’s mixed media Calm Serenade shows a child strumming a ukulele not for himself but for everything around him because Mother Nature listens if you sing. A depiction of love for God’s creation, seemingly whimsical and fantasy-like, it speaks more about everyday occurrence and the beauty of life. the idea is to capture a deep moment with the viewer and let them find their own perception based on personal interpretation and observation.
Emman Acasio’s acrlic on canvas Maayang Umaga emphasizes the love within the family by depicting simple life in the province in which every member of the family helps each other and loves one another. Moreso, it reflects love and respect for nature being the provider of everything we need to survive and thrive.
Sonny Fernando’s Something in the way she moves...is a skillful building of a abstract composition that leads the viewer to see a perceived mood or emotion symbolized by the assemblage of geometric forms. What is in his mind questions the meaning of what seems to be the swaying motion of trajecting lines very contrasting to the sharp and calculated composition. Undoubtedly, this artist from Tarlac has pushed the boundaries of geometric abstraction to intentionally affect the mind of the viewer.
Other participating artists are Nonilon Alipio, Jeth Bernal, Joey Cobcobo, Camille de la Rosa, Ethel Dimacuha, Mary Rose Domingo Gisbert, Oying Madrilejos, Joyce Maristela, Omi Reyes, Joel Tabuena and Godfrey Torres, Carlito Amalla, Alfred Capiral, Joey Cobcobo, Janos de la cruz, Jose Leo de Castro, Noell Farol, Homer Fernadez, William Gaudinez, Judeo Herrera, Jisu Kim, Daniel Libor, Angelo Magno, Yvette Manotoc, Jonathan Nicolas, Abe Orobia, Rogelio Orobia, Vincent Padilla, Wilfredo Pollarco, Wilfredo, Roberta Rossi, Bernard Temporosa, Jareds Yokte, Tony Zamora and Juert Asejo.
During the opening of HeART, the KPP will award Mayor Abalos a plaque designed by Maestro Orobia in recognition for his valuable patronage of the arts.