ARTIS CORPUS GALLERY invites you to its third exhibition at Sining Kamalig: an art gallery, located at the Fourth Level of The Oasis, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center , Cubao, Quezon City . The show features seven artists from the University of Santo Tomas : Dominique Alfonso, Darylle Cajucom, Kevin Fernandez, Luis Hernandez, Jay Jamoralin, JR Urao, and Michael Zacarias. The Show, entitled PITONG SALITA: paalala sa bagong administrasyon, highlights concerns which these visual artists would like the newly elected officials to address in their plans for the next six years. It opens 6pm on Monday 7 June 2010 and will run till 30 June. The public is cordially invited. Please contact Enrico Manlapaz, curator, through enricojlmanlapaz@yahoo.com.ph or 0920-9537426.

This exhibition stemmed out of Rosa Negra, a visual commentary on the state of Philippine visual arts which Artis Corpus Gallery mounted on 21 September 2009. This typhoon-wrecked show was literally cut short by Ondoy when it wreaked havoc on 26 September 2009. But the memory lingered a little further on. And the intention of highlighting the real state of affairs in this country called the Philippines simply stayed.

By October last year, a group of artists from the University of Santo Tomas proposed to mount a show highlighting the state of the nation. Very strong statements emerged in their proposal. Please allow me to quote, as I freely translate and edit:

Dominique Alfonso: “I portray social issues about women and children, tackling such concerns as single parenting, women’s rights, their varied roles in media and society, and their own struggle for empowerment. My works will celebrate women as they are a tribute to their liberation.”

Darylle Cajucom: “I shall serve as the voice of society, its issues and concerns. I come from a place where prostitution proliferates. I am surrounded by media and its apparent lies. I examine my roots, my country’s culture, and how it has slowly been bastardized by foreign interventions. I will not stop until these major concerns are acted upon.”

Kevin Fernandez: “Art is a unique weapon that can be used to straighten the crooked and right the wrong. In my works, I intend to enlighten my fellowmen about what they can do as individuals and as groups in alleviating the plight of society in particular, and the country in general.”

Luis Hernandez: “War and hunger are simply caused by poverty. The provision of livelihood and a sufficient amount of wealth for everyone will surely eliminate all these. Cooperation must replace crab mentality. Equality is a value that must be appreciated in the light of spirituality.”

Jay Jamoralin: “In a series of paintings, I plan to portray stories of various events relating to culture and its role in improving the values of the Filipino, zeroing in on media and socio-political issues. I plan to strongly state my stand on ideologies which interfere and opinions which affect decisions in the environment which I move in.”

JR Urao: “I shall present evocative pieces which move, distress, and upset me as a citizen and as an artist. I shall be spontaneous in doing so, employing whatever it is that I am currently equipped with.”

Michael Zacarias: “I aim to open the minds of others and call their attention to ills plaguing society, with the end in mind of instigating positive changes. I hope that my works can eventually make viewers realize that they can do something to help cure these social concerns.”

The exhibition has been properly delayed and moved for reasons beyond the control of these artists. The closing of the Haig gallery and its transfer to flood-free Gateway Mall proved beneficial as the exhibition was planned to be mounted right after the May elections, in time for the installation of the new administration. Things always happen for the better.

Exhibition Notes by Enrico J. L. Manlapaz, 12 May 2010.