MORE THAN 40 Thomasian artists converged at Museo ng Makati for “Vision: Versatil,” an exhibition celebrating Filipino culture and heritage, launched on Feb. 19 in line with the National Arts Month.
The all-UST alumni art caravan, joined by 44 artists, was organized by the UST Atelier Alumni Association Inc. in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and Makati’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Office.
“Versatile is not versatility only on our medium — we can work on metal, we can work on canvas, we can work on pencils,” said exhibit curator and participating artist Patrick Naval, an architecture alumnus.
“But it’s about the versatility of the artist. I’m practicing architecture, and we have interior designers, we have doctors, we have a lot from different professions.”
Aligning with the exhibit’s theme of Filipino heritage, Vanessa Tria injected humor into tradition with her piece, “Dalagang Puglipina,” a 24×24-in. acrylic on canvas painting of an anthropomorphic pug clad in baro’t saya.
“Mas masaya ako pag tinawanan artwork ko,” Tria told the Varsitarian. “Kasi ‘yong arts, ‘di naman kailangan na sobrang lalim-lalim. Puwede naman magbigay lang ng saya.”
Agnes Medina, another painting alumna, also had a playful take on cultural icons with “Marlin,” a 30×40-in. mixed media painting reimagining the late pop culture icon Marilyn Monroe as a Filipina.
Using stylized and linear techniques, Medina has been reinterpreting famous figures in her series, which includes “Tres Marites,” a spin on Tres Marias.
Meanwhile, Nestor Ong, known for his “steampunk indio style,” presented “Noli Me Tangerat: La Saga De Maria Clarat Y Crisostomo Ibarrat Con El Temido Fray Duckmaso,” a 40×30-in. oil on canvas painting.
The piece is a play on literary figures Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra, integrating steampunk elements and cartoon characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Advertising arts graduate Maryrose Gisbert explored themes of self-identity and motherhood in “Hot Summer,” a piece merging Picasso’s pastel hues and Van Gogh’s textured strokes.
“My friends call me Van Gaga because of the colors and the movement and the drawings and paintings,” Gisbert said.
“Vision: Versatil” will run until March 31.
