Rare ‘Mother-and-Child’ art at the mall

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte, Contributor

01/08/2009

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) presents the third in a series of painting exhibits, featuring the works of the university’s alumni from different generations. Simply dubbed “Mother and Child,” the latest exhibit showcases rare mother-and-child art pieces from UP-bred artists.

“During the 100th year celebration, the best doctors and lawyers were lauded. Little is known that UP has also produced the best Filipino artists. This exhibit, like the two others before it, is mounted to showcase UP artists. The university is a reservoir of talent. Thus, it did not fail in its mission in developing students’ potential and innate talents. You honor UP when you show the world that these are some of the people we’ve produced aside from, of course, honoring the artists themselves,” enthused Gari Tiongco, UPAA’s incumbent president.

Of the 100 centennial artists, only 44 works are showcased, including Botong Francisco’s Muslim Bethrothal, Napoleon Abueva’s 9 Muses, Guillermo Tolentino’s Sonny the Champ, Abdulmari Imao’s Muscle Man, as well as the untitled works of National Artists Fernando Amorsolo, Cesar Legaspi, Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya and Ben Cabrera.

“Busloads of students from public schools from all over Luzon come and visit the exhibition to view the rare artworks. We want everybody to enjoy the art pieces. It’s time for payback so that the mainstream mall crowd can enjoy the works as aficionados do. These timeless treasures are not only for the elite,” added Tiongco, who’s currently serving the last year of his three-year term.

The first exhibit of the series presented nude paintings, while the second show featured eclectic works.

The “Mother and Child” exhibit is open for public viewing until Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the third level Trade Hall of the Gateway Mall in Quezon City.

“This collection of works celebrates the Nativity. We had to take one painting out because its theme was the Pieta. Madonna, yes, but not about death. We’re now planning for the fourth series, which will open 2009’s quarterly line-up,” revealed show organizer Romy Carlos.

Most of the artists featured in the exhibit series belong to Carlos’s peer group. All the works presented in the very first show are contained in the published coffee table book entitled 100 Nudes, 100 Years.

For more information, contact exhibit organizer Romy Carlos through mobile no. 0927-5283958.

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