ABSTRACT ethnic motifs from Philippine native weaves are further abstracted and reworked in Jane Arrieta Ebarle’s eighth edition of “Hibla” series of paintings at the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Gallery of the National Museum of the Philippines.
Threads on Canvas: Interweaving of Different Artistic Traditions showcases Ebarle’s abstract-expressionist acrylic-on-canvas works.
A graduate of Advertising Arts from the old UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts, Ebarle studies the works of traditional weaving communities such as the Ifugaos, Kalingas and Tausugs and interprets them in her abstract style.
But for the new series, Ebarle researched on the collection of ancient weaves from the National Museum collection.
“For instance, there is a textile related to the tribe of Kalinga so my painting will have something to complement that,” Ebarle said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Ebarle’s 15 featured artworks have vivid colors, overlapping lines and strokes and combinations of patch-like partitions along with tribal patterns.
“I want my artworks to be culture-based because our country has a very beautiful heritage of textiles,” Ebarle said. “My aim is to highlight every design within a tribal context.”
“I never run out of designs and that is what’s mystical with my connection with Hibla. Whenever I see something textured, I automatically picture it with designs,” she added.
Ebarle’s interest on indigenous designs began when she read Philippine Ethnic Patterns, a book published by the Design Center of the Philippines in 2006. Though the artworks depicted in the book were mainly black-and-white, it didn’t stop her from visioning it in lively colors.
After showcasing the ethnic patterns of the Maranaos during her second solo-exhibit titled Pinagmulan at the UST Museum in 2009, she was inspired to create a series of paintings with interweaving thread-like geometric patterns, which gave birth to the “Hibla” series.
“It is a struggle for every artist to find her own signature style, which I accidentally found in Hibla,” Ebarle said.
The Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Gallery is a project of Senator Loren Legarda which has been established to preserve and reveal the rich weaving heritage of the Philippines. Amierielle Anne A. Bulan
