Madre y Niño

This month, we celebrate Women's Month to give honour to all the women in our life. They may be our workmates, our friends, our teachers, our sisters or even our Mother. Women in general are the heart of the society. They provide compassion, love and care for us. This celebration also aims to campaign against violence to women and children and gender equality.

I created this artwork, "Madre y Niño", especially for our Mayor, Ma'am Beng, who asked me to make an artwork for her which she will give as gifts for her special visitors. This artwork maybe interpreted in different ways but the central message is the love and care of a mother to her child. Personally, I see this work in my relationship between me and my mama. She truly is a super mom to me who did everything to provide for us four siblings. She is the light that guides us which made us who we are today. And I am forever grateful that I have her in my life.



In my 2 years in public service, I see Ma'am Beng as our mother and our leader in this city. The Zamboangueños especially the children is her first priority. That's why she really made Build Back Better Zamboanga possible after the famous siege. In her three years as the mayor, we really felt the development in the city despite the struggles and difficulties.

This artwork is also an ode to the Zamboanga culture. The city's patroness is La Virgen del Pilar which was introduced to Zamboanga by the Spaniards during the construction of the Fort "Real Fuerza de San Jose". The city celebrates the "Fiesta Pilar" or Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in her honor during October. The image of La Virgen del Pilar depicts Mary with the child Jesus in her left arm who has a dove sitting on his left palm. I really like the symbolism of the dove. According to religious studies, the dove represents the Holy Spirit. Universally, it represents peace, which us Zamboangueños long for.

Happy Women's month to everyone!

Glunow

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.

If you like it and have a deviant Art account, fave it here. Also check out and like my facebook page CSZ Doodle Art. Have a prosperous 2016!