An art exhibit

IWOULD like to digress from the usual topics that I write about – primarily the state of our nation, social disparities, climate change, media and education, etc., and focus on something personal – the search for meaning and doing this by venturing into the arts and culture.

My interest in the arts started when I was in my 20’s and up to the 30’s when I spent sometime in either directing or acting in stage or broadcast plays and documentaries, or writing poetry and short stories which, though published, did not quite meet the criteria I had set for myself. Eight pastel paintings during two months of art lessons I had taken just gathered dust as I did not think they were good enough to be framed.

Thus, holding a solo art exhibit gave me some excitement as this was farthest from my mind even during those decades when I was visiting art galleries and hobnobbing with stage directors, actors, and artists.

The idea of holding an art exhibit came from the management of Sunshine Place, the senior recreation center where my sister and I had spent a day each week for the past 22 months. It might be a bit presumptuous, I thought, but was finally persuaded when I realized that it would be some sort of a recital that musical artists normally had to go through. I had written two or three pieces about what Sunshine Place had meant to us seniors – a hub where we had made friends, and made surprising discoveries about ourselves.

Carol Llanillo is now a well-known portrait artist and receiving numerous contracts for such; some of Conchitina Bernardo’s works made it to the finalist list, and at her recent solo exhibit, five of her paintings were sold. It is so inspiring to see Conchitina at work with her easel. Her themes which deal with the divine and the good around us, reflect the authentic, kind, and lovely person that she is. Melissa Gonzales and Vicky Pollisco had held several solo exhibits earlier where their works which are so professionally done, had been recognized either by the market or art connoisseurs. We believe that our art professor, Fidel Sarmiento, would eventually get his due recognition as a National Artist. He, together with the Art Association of the Philippines of which he is president, had successfully organized several exhibits throughout the country. Several of these ventures had provided venues for talented marginalized youth, and assisted disaster stricken regions.

At Sunshine Place, we found warmth and meaning in friendships forged and realized that indeed, there is life after 60 or 70! Tweetums Gonzales, who teaches writing, can attest to this as she and her septuagenarian new life mate found love at Sunshine Place.

I had chosen 22 of my 75 paintings for my exhibit, entitled “The Spirit Speaks.” In the blurb, I stated that what had principally been my motivation over the past eight decades was the search for meaning through the pursuit of ideals of truth, human rights, and freedom. Thus, as teacher, writer, charter framer, and now, an aspiring artist, I had taken the “road less traveled.” The experiences provided me the themes, and the philosophy. In addition to my favorite, which is the popular “mother and child,” I had chosen historical sites, primarily, “sanctuaries of peace and silence” in various parts of the world. Too, I have written and painted on issues that I am passionate about – social justice, and especially on the gaps that divide us, solutions to conflict, rights of nature, and the advocacy for a more peaceful and balanced social order.

I have acknowledged that all my art pieces are the product of a collaborative effort. My mentor and curator, Fidel Sarmiento, and his able assistants, Robert Fernandez and Tere Buiser, had been most helpful in the execution of a topic that I had conceptualized and guiding me through the end by providing the final highlighting to achieve a professional touch. Invaluable assistance was provided by Gilda Reyes and Che de Vega, together with Sunshine Place staff members.

Many of the pieces have been inspired by the memory of my husband, an artist himself, and my son Ferdie who suggested some of the themes, and the titles and captions as well. Among the paintings are Digmaan at Kapayapaan (2017); The Day the Press Died (2016); Enselar at Banga (Sinigang sa Palayok) (2017); Pag-asa sa Almosal (2018); Clarita sa Payatas (2016); Ina (2016); The Sampaguita Girl (2016); Beauty under the Rain (2017); Vigan by Night (2018); Sunset at Mont St. Michel (2017); An Island for Butterflies (2017); Tubbataha Reef (2017); High Rise and the Kariton (2016); The Bagpiper at Sunset (2016); The Path Less Traveled (2017).

In addition to the art classes, Sunshine Place members may engage in other activities such as Ikebana, pottery making, creative writing, Zumba, and NIA or non-impact aerobics for those in their early senior years. They can also avail of nutrition counseling, fitness assessment, and can use the home theater lounge and game area and videoke facilities. Founded by Felicidad Sy, daughter Tessie Sy-Coson continues to monitor and ugrade the facilities and activities to enable Sunshine Place in its primary role of helping seniors by providing them a wholesome and nurturing environment.

Interested seniors may call 8564144 or 8564162 or cp 09175155656. Address is 2nd flr. Sunshine Place, 56 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati.