Of currents and cultures
In September 2013, eight Cebubased artists flew to Paris for a month-long residency program hosted by the French organization Le Cent Etablissement Culturel Solidaire. Bonded by shared experiences in the heart of Paris’ bustling arts and culture scene, they formed a group called Mugna, which in Cebuano means creation, and together they were selected to present their works at the celebrated 12x12 International Arts Festival during their stay.
The participating artists were Josua Cabrera, Felix Catarata, Melver Mercado, Gigi Ocampo, Radel Paredes, Remy Rault, Palmy Pe-Tudtud and Kimsoy Yap.
They had since focused on their own projects after coming home, and it was only in January of this year when they staged their first local exhibit as a group—a visual compilation of cultural nuances and artistic expressions—at the Bluewater Gallery located inside Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort in Mactan Island.
Opened last Jan. 10, the exhibit was titled Sulog, a word that in Cebuano means current, the rhythmic flow of water from which the native dance and name for the famous fiesta has been derived (Sinulog). Although opened in time for the festivities, the exhibit went beyond giving homage to traditions, as it also tackled cultural sensibilities and identity.
Catarata showed a poignant portrayal of local street life, Paredes explored an unconventional depiction of faith. Rault meanwhile, a French national who has long been a resident of Cebu, gave an expat’s insight in his piece, Lost in Paris, a synthesis of his two homes.
Alongside Mugna, siblings Laure and Jean François Grégoire also took part as guest exhibitors. Jean presented a series of illustrations while Laure, the photographer who documented the group’s stay in Paris, divulged black and white portraits of the artists, candid and in their element.
More exhibits and cultural exchanges are some of the activities that the group plans to do in the coming year, said Tudtud—and with that, Sulog couldn’t be a more fitting mark for their first exhibit together. Moving along with the waves of their own creative pursuits, she said, “We are all hopeful that Sulog will bring us forward to new creative directions.”