By Nancy T, Lu
“Sining Saysay: History in Art” - an ongoing exhibit of
mural paintings at the
Gateway Gallery in Cubao - invites a revisit of the Philippines’ colorful and
dramatic past but with a difference for some of the finest Filipino
contemporary artists who proudly call the University of the Philippines their
alma mater are the interpreters of events.
The 27 men and women who participated in realizing the big
painting project had labored over their creative contributions to the present-day
visual treat and educational experience for the general public. Foremost in
their minds was the importance of being factual and accurate in their painted
narratives.
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| Jonah Salvosa's "The Galleon Trade" |
Period costumes of figures in history sometimes proved
extremely difficult to draw because no precise record and reference could be
found despite lengthy and thorough research, according to Jonah Salvosa. A
desperate need to know how attacking planes looked like in wartime Philippines
drove artist Julius Samson to start collecting scale models of aircraft.
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| Julius Samson's "Occupied Philippines" |
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| Adi Baens Santos' "Martial Law" |
For Adi Baens Santos, history is about memory. His “Martial
Law” has to do with an era of unrest and
protest which he knew firsthand. As a young artist working at the Sunday Times
Magazine of the Manila Times in the early Seventies, he saw up close and heard directly
the extremely idealistic student leaders of the First Quarter Storm. Edgar Jopson,
Ericson Baculinao, Gerry Barican, Chito Sta. Romana, and Mila Astorga-Garcia
turned up one by one in the editorial office to passionately air their frustration
with and protest against the establishment as well as to angrily cry for
freedom and change. Association with radical activists made this artist highly
politicized. His art over the years has consistently been a strong statement on
social issues and causes.
“Sining Lakbay” - a
project adding a digital interface to initially 10 mural works - was launched to lure
the generally digital-savvy millennials into the gallery to view and talk about the exhibit.
This took place three days before the EDSA People Power Anniversary this year,
thereby calling special attention to a relevant work like “Martial Law.” The digital input to this 6 feet by 20 feet painting runs for a total of three minutes.
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| Grace Javier Alfonso's "Empowerment of Filipino Women" |
On March 8, International Women’s Day, Grace Javier Alfonso’s
“Empowerment of Filipino Women” will take the special limelight through art images
recalling the history of courage of the heroines in the Philippine
revolution and in their continuing struggle for their rights.
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| Neil Doloricon's "History of Labor in the Philippines" |
“Sining Saysay: History in Art” opened at the Gateway
Gallery about a year ago and it will run at the venue for another year before
the entire collection will be moved permanently to the UP campus.
