Tags: Paintings, Visual arts
Marjorie Gorospe
BASCO, BATANES – People in other countries are getting acquainted with the Batanes mystique through the paintings of this group of young Ivatan artists.
The group Yaru nu Artes Ivatan started in 2006 through the help of researcher Margarita Garcia. She conducted a workshop with out-of-school youth and then met the four young Ivatan artists Ronald Gonzales, Jaypee Portez, Javier Ponce and Xavier Abelador, who share the same passion of bringing pride to their home province.
They wanted tourists to bring with them home something that’s originally made in Batanes. With the Yaru nu Artes Ivatan, local artists get to showcase their art while having a means of sustainable livelihood through their paintings, some of which have brought to other countries.
Among the four, Gonzales was the first Ivatan to be offered a full scholarship in fine arts at UP Diliman. His works have been exhibited at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), considered the mecca for arts in the country, and at the Headlands Center for the Arts in San Francisco. His works have also become prized collections for art patrons here and abroad.
In his column for Philippine Star , Alfred Yuson says the group has become a vehicle that allowed the young artists to achieve their goal of uplifting the Ivatan culture through art.
“We will show the world the beauty and art of our land, our people and our culture. This way I can repay the life and inspiration that Batanes has given me. I dream of Batanes as a world in balance with man and nature,” says Gonzales.
Abelador, an artist fond of oil and acrylic, is known for painting Batanes through his impressionist style. He studied in FEATI University Manila and gained awards in various painting contest such as Art Petron 2006, Shell Art Competition and PLDT-DPC.
Portez, meanwhile, is known for semi-abstract style and use of common motif like circles. He is currently engaged in commissioned projects but his other works are purchased at eBay.
Ponce, an Itbayat native continues to discover more of his talent up to present with the use of a palette knife instead of brush. He is known for his distinct abstract tribal style.
The group is currently working hand in hand with Pacita Abad Center for the Arts, the Karasic Foundation, the Department of Education, Department of Trade and Industry, and various local government units. What is considered their biggest achievement so far is having their mural paintings displayed at the National Commision for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in the UN headquarters in New York, requested by no other than UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2009.
Interested parties can get in touch with the Yaru nu Artes Ivatan through their Multiply page or through Xavier Abelador at 0928-4985562.
Photos taken from Yaru nu Artes Ivatan
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- @je: it is currently on our nbemur one list so far!@vee: thanks for your warmest comments, i appreciate em so much! as i told you in fb, you and gerard should try that place too!!!@mark: thanks bro! go to batanes on your next visit here in the philippines!