A year of arts and exhibits

CEBU, Philippines —  2018 was arguably a pivot-to-digital year for art exhibits in Cebu, what with the number of Cebuano artists regularly featuring their works online.

But in as much as many local artists recognized the advantage of presenting artworks in social media, the year was not lacking in noteworthy exhibits at brick-and-mortar venues. The year ending has a good number of these…

“Rebirth”

Qube Gallery, The Crossroads, Banilad

“Rebirth” was Qube Gallery’s year-end show for 2017, but since it ran through the first couple of weeks of January 2018 it made it to this year’s list.

Featuring artworks made by the members of the 2016-established “Aroma Art Academy,” the show directed its viewers to a creative style which has long been closely identified with Cebu: realism. Also, it illustrated how an artist fits himself into a style that’s perceived to be too literal for an artist to put pieces of himself in – metaphorically setting the valuable role an artist plays as storyteller.

But in as much as many local artists recognized the advantage of presenting artworks in social media, the year was not lacking in noteworthy exhibits at brick-and-mortar venues. The year ending has a good number of these…

“Aurum Febris”

Qube Gallery, The Crossroads, Banilad

In February of 2018, award-winning Cebuano visual artist and actor Gil Francis Maningo showcased a different side to his creative inclinations in the exhibit “Aurum Febris.” Known for making caricatures of local and international personalities, Maningo, in this show, presented a line of art nouveau works that were gilded with gold – altogether wowing viewers to the depth and timbre of his creative range.

“Aurum Febris,” which translates to “gold fever” in English, was a solid step that set Maningo’s sails from presenting his art from Cebu to an international audience. There were plans of presenting it New York next month.

“Cebu Lampoon Art Festival”

Barako Haus Coffee Shop, Juana Osmeña St.

The “Cebu Lampoon Festival” exhibit in March featured the works of cartoonists based in different parts of the globe.

More than a cut-and-dry presentation of art works, the show was different from other exhibits in Cebu in 2018 as the message of its exhibiting talents was its medium, not pens, pencils or pigments.       “The Quilts of Caohagan”

Mountainwing Atrium, SM Seaside City

A selection of small and large scale quilts made by the members of the Caohagan Quilters Community were showcased in “The Quilts of Caohagan” exhibit in June.

Scored by a culture and creative crash motif, the exhibit displayed how the residents of Caohagan Island (one of the seven islands that compose the Olango Island Group in Mactan) interpret island life themes through intricate needlework that hemmed together its richly-designed quilts.

“Mise en Scène”

856G Gallery, AS Fortuna, Mandaue City

With a title that bore allusions to the stage production term “telling a story,” “Mise en Scène” told the story of fabric maker and designer Francis Dravigny – how he worked with a fashion designer, a printmaker and painters to complete the pieces that were included in the show.

Equal parts traditional and contemporary, the show consisted of space/room dividers that embodied how a furniture piece intended to divide can serve as a liaison for different creative disciplines to come together as one.