Fil-Can, Fil-Am artists exhibit original works

One of Vancouver’s much- awaited summer multi-cultural event will be held at the prestigious Roundhouse Community Centre from Aug. I0-14, 2015. Entitled PAGTITIPON, it is an art exhibition showcasing a collective body of original works by Filipino Canadian and Filipino American artists.

The event was organized by the the Filipino Music and Art Foundation in British Columbia, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver and Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada. The exhibition, the first of its kind in the province is a show abundant in talent, exceptional originality and creativity. The I0 outstanding artists selected are: DANVIC BRIONES is relatively a newcomer in Vancouver but in a short period he has accumulated avid followers, collectors and patrons. He is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and was recently the featured artist of its publication Art Avenue. He had several successful art exhibits in British Columbia.

Briones is heavily influenced by surrealism, the subconscious and Salvador Dali. In the course of his studies, he was introduced to print making (calligraphy) and this became the cornerstone of his art. He has modified this technique by using wood as the actual artwork. His usual themes: fragments of memories, portraits of people, depiction of events and everyday life, the Vancouver landscape and the city’s surrounding foliage.

Several Briones artworks are on display in some Vancouver’s homes and the proud owners are local celebrities. Briones is also favored by leading local interior designers.

TESSIE DICHUPA is a visual and art educator who took fine arts at the University of the Philippines, Studio Painting in Madrid, Spain. She received awards from the Philippine Art Educators Association, Federation of Canadian Artists and Catholic Women’s Club of Manila.

IMELDA CAJIPE ENDAYA is a visual artist, author, independent curator and founding president of KASIBULAN Women Artists Collective. This is the second exhibition of Endaya in Vancouver. She won awards from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, American Society of Contemporary Artists (Irwin and Florence Ziowe Award). Endaya had solo exhibitions in Manila, Tokyo, New York, Sydney, Manila, Singapore and Fukuoka Asian Art Musuem.

CARLOS L. ESGUERRA is known for his landscape, architecture and is also an art photographer. He majored in Economics at the University of the Philippines and has an MBA in Economics from George Washington University. He was awarded the 2008 Pamanang Pilipino Presidential Award.

EDGARDO LANTIN is a recognized and well-known Vancouver visual artist specializing in portraiture. He is a founding member of the Canadian Institute of Portrait Artist. Lantin is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas and Master Class of Portraiture in New York.

LENORE RS LIM is the acclaimed printmaker, visual artist and founding president of Lenore RS Lim Foundation for the Arts and past president of the Society of Philippine American Artists. In 2004, she was awarded a Presidential Award (Pamana ng Pilipino) and the 1999 Jackson Pollock-Lee Krasner Foundation Grant.

ESMIE GAYO McLAREN is a popular visual artist in British Columbia and is the co-chair of the Pagtitipon Art Exhibition and past Festival Director of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. She is a graduate of Emily Car University and University of Alberta and workshop at Academy of Arts (Vancouver). Esmie is also a flamenco dance enthusiast had exhibitions in Vancouver, Manila, Tokyo, Washington and Granada, Spain.

BERT MONTERONA is a much-loved popular artist, community leader and art educator. He is the founder/visual arts facilitator of the Philippine Artists Network for Community Integrative Transformation. Monterona is a graduate of Mindanao State University and won several awards and had both solo and group exhibitions in the Philippines, USA and South Korea.

JOSE TRINIDAD worked for 14 years as mural artist for the late Ronnie Lang, the famous florist/decorator in Manila. He studied design in San Francisco before moving to Canada in 1969. He was awarded the most outstanding Filipino-Canadian artist in British Columbia in 1987. Trinidad’s paintings can be seen at the Parliament House, Victoria, British Columbia. His works are highly priced and are now collector’s items.

ART ZAMORA is a visual artist and jewelry designer. He is a University of the Philippines and PWU College of Music and Fine Arts graduate. Zamora had exhibitions in Manila, New York and received a citation from the Pan American Concerned Citizen Action.

Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia will be the guest of honor at the artists’ reception.