Before I end 2015 I wanted to create a personal art which is inspired by my experience in Manila during the Philippine Visual Art Festival #PVAF2015. I had a great time meeting artists from the different regions, learning from them and the masters of visual art in the country. My favorite experience is visiting Angono Rizal, the Art Capital of the Philippines, where we got to visit a street gallery, the house and studio of national Artist Carlos Francisco, and get to dine and talk with their local artists at the artisan restaurant / gallery of Nemi Miranda.What struck me is their deep connection with their roots. Their history and culture inspired their works which made me learn a lot about their place and their people. I also learned during our conversations that art doesn't have to be a painting. We in the regions doesn't have that direct access to fine art materials but we have our own unique materials to work upon. This only validated me as an artist. I have always been intimidated by the works of these great artists and sometimes I feel less of an artist with my lack of art education and skills such as realistic drawing, painting and sculpture. But with my experience in PVAF, I appreciated my uniqueness and my identity as an artist.
I identify myself as a multimedia artists and for me, my best work involves technology such as Digital Art, Illustration, Graphic design and Animation. I am a Filipino, a Mindanaoan, a proud Zamboangueño. My home is a beautiful place, rich with a blend of different cultures and various historical and natural heritage. All of which can be a source of inspiration to create an artwork. It only takes your imagination and a medium to make a masterpiece.
For my last artwork of 2015, I went deeper to my roots and was inspired by the early inhabitants of Zamboanga, the Subanens. I googled for images and drew inspiration from their patterns and visual culture. About 2 years ago, I also had the chance to experience their culture first-hand during the boklug festival at Siocon when we were invited to produce a documentary for a mining company. The buklog is a tall structure made of wood constructed by the people in the community. It resembles a trampoline that produces a loud sound when the people jump together to make the wooden pole at the center touch the log on the ground. Its loud sound can be heard from miles away and people gather there for merry making.
My work focuses on an imaginary paradise inspired by the Subanen culture. A character discovers the post-apocalypitc land of Jambangan where flowers had bloomed once again. The seven rivers which flowed from the seven mountains nurture its fertile land. At the center is an abandoned temple or monument left by the community of native people. On top of the seven stones is the flag of the Subanen. The title "Glunow" which means green in Subanen language, represents the re-blossoming of the land.
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