Empress Of Drac, A Cebuana Blogger

Paintings and sculptures of contemporary Cebuano artists were featured in the art exhibit, dubbed Contemporary Cebu, which opened last Jan. 4 at the Cebu City Museum.

The exhibit, which is curated by JV Castro, is designed to bring national attention to contemporary Cebuano artists and their works. It is open to the public until Jan. 31.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, during the opening ceremonies, lauded the initiative undertaken to make the exhibit possible, saying it is a way to recognize Cebuano talents in visual arts as well as to promote the Cebu City Museum.

The Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), and The Grove by Rockwell, partnered together to launch this annual exhibit. The first exhibit was held in June 2011 in Manila at the Ateneo de Manila University and Picasso Boutique Hotel.

This year’s Contemporary Cebu art exhibit features the works of Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Marvin Natural, Kidlat of the Junks Collective, Karl Roque, Sio Montera, Ritchie Quijano, Vidal Alcoseba, and Tito Cuevas. Russ Ligtas will give Butoh performances on Jan. 12 and 13.

“It is an exhibition that features some of the finest artists we have in Cebu. All the works in the exhibit are done by Cebuano artists who specialize in contemporary works, meaning the portrayal of subjects are different. In a way, we want to promote Cebu in a different light,” Castro said.

Dennis “Sio” Montera, one of the participating artists shared the inspiration and stories behind his paintings.
“My art is more on expression of the things that have been relevant in my life—happiness, sadness, loss of loved one, any life experience. For me, the best way I can communicate or deal with my emotions is to paint. It is more likely the reflection of a current situation of my life. It’s like a diary, mirroring what is happening around me,” he said.
Alternative Contemporary Art Studio and RAFI have been partners since Contemporary Cebu’s inception in 2011. This year, they took in The Grove by Rockwell as a major partner. The other sponsors of the exhibit are the Cebu City Government, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission of Cebu City, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Blue Shield Risk Management, Gothong Southern, Michelangelo Pizzeria, and Hola España.

“Contemporary Cebu is a good opportunity for introducing the Cebuano audience to contemporary arts and for them to be familiar who the Cebuano contemporary visual artists are,” said Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of Culture and Heritage of RAFI. (Hannah Reoma/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. intern)

Gabii sa Kabilin 2011 features an interesting facade of Cebu’s arts and culture as it includes the Sacred Heart Parish Alternative Contemporary Art Studio as one of its participating attractions for this year’s night of heritage - May 27, 2011, 6PM to 12MN.  See full list of Museums and Galleries here.

Sacred Heart Parish Alternative Contemporary Art Studio is the only  place in the City wherein you can have a glimpse of a gallery that features beyond the norms masterpieces that reflect the Cebuano artists expressions of non-conformity wherein beauty is portrayed in various odd ways.

The Sacred Heart Alternative Gallery features an Art fair (including pieces by Cebu Artists Inc., Tente Pusod, Tuslob Buwa, Cebu Art Association, Academy Artists, Nueves Artists, Pintal Group. The gallery also features the other side of architects and photography and art pieces by independent artists.

The photo above is one of the featured artworks curated by JV Castro as part of the Garden Grotesque gallery presentation that will conclude on May 28, 2011. Click here for more Alternative Art Contemporary Studio Photos.  If you need more information about this studio, kindly contact Fr. Jason K. Dy, S. J. at +63 915 591 4217. E-mail inquiries can be sent to dyjask@yahoo.com.

Gabii sa Kabilin 2011 other featured Museums

Aside from the Sacred Heart Parish Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, Gabii sa Kabilin also featured a lot of Cebu cultural museums that you should not miss to visit.

This photo is the bust of Dr. Ramon Abellana’s granddaughter.  Dr. Ramon Abellana is an award-winning sculptor.  A few of his works are displayed in the Cebu Normal University Museum.  Check this link for more photos.

For a complete list of Gabii sa Kabilin 2011 featured museums and attractions, kindly visit this link.

About Gabii sa Kabilin

“Gabii sa Kabilin” is Cebuano for Night of Heritage, and patterned after the long night of museums in Germany and other European countries. The event is designed to daw foreign and local tourists, but most especially Cebuanos, to visit the museums. It aims to reinforce the belief that local museums are venues for the understanding and appreciation of Cebuano history and culture. But beyond that it also discounts the stereotype of museums as mere repositories of “dead objects”; rather, as venues for live cultural activities. Read more here.

Title/Subject: Buy A Sketch For Charity
Dates: June 10, 13, 17, 20, 23, 27 & 30
Venue: Turtles Nest, Gorordo Ave.
Time:
Notes/Details:
The artists from Behind Closed Doors exhibit are selling their sketches for Charity. They highly appreciate those lovers of the arts who use what they CAN as an instrument to make life a bit easier for those who are underprivileged. If you can think about it, you don’t have to be filthy rich. You just need to share what is spare and share a bit of your TIME. (from Dan, one of the artists)

Coordinator’s Name: Dan Guillano
Contact: 09263567270
Email: dan@sigbin.com