ManilArt 2017 to showcase rich, diverse Filipino cultures
The longest-running art fair in the Philippines, ManilArt, will be collecting artworks from different regions to showcase various cultural influences the country has had over the centuries.
ManilArt will bring works that show the diverse culture present in the Philippines, ranging from the Indigenous, Muslim and Catholic traditions, and as well as influences from Europeans, with the theme “The Philippines as an ASEAN Cultural Powerhouse.”
For its 9th year, it will highlight Mindanao culture with various works from the region, and will give the stage to Mindanaoan artists.
This will include prolific Mindanaoan sculptor Kublai Millan, who was responsible for works such as the “Kampilan” by Sultan Kudarat in the city of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, as well as the “Durian Monument” in Davao International Airport in Davao City.
He will show Filipinos their culture as something to be proud of in the world stage other than boxing and beauty pageants. His talk on peace monuments will address artists collaborating within the community that will strengthen local identity that will inevitably lead to nation building.
This year’s art fair will also feature paintings of the multi-awarded Cebuano painter, Romulo Galicano, who will be unveiling a new piece called “The Modern-day Holocaust” which will be a reminder of a painful past and show the grave errors of human ways.
In the press conference for ManilArt last Sept. 28, Curator of ManilArt Danny Rayos del Sol said that the theme is “very timely and relevant”: “This year’s theme will showcase how we have been a cultural powerhouse with the tag ‘Kalipayapaan’. We combined the words ‘Kalipay’ (Bisaya for Joy) and Kapayapaan (Peace). Our artist [Kublai Millan] has been advocating peace in Mindanao through his monumental sculptures and how he believes that it is essential in nation-building.”
Partner and editor-in-chief of Lifestyle Asia, Anna Sobrepeña said, “I’ve always felt that art was necessary; it does more than feed the soul.”
“People are able to express things they can’t express in words. Maybe not on the same manner as food, clothing, or shelter, but if we are moved in our hearts to do something, we would be able to address the situations in our country today,” she continued.
ManilArt ’17 previews on October 12 with an Invitation Gala. The fair will be open to the public on October 13-15 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura in Taguig City.
