The sky painted
itself gray that Wednesday afternoon, filling the lush university greens a
faint melancholic atmosphere. The rain continues to drop happily on the grass and
pavements. It demanded everyone to get under a roof over their heads.
Despite the weather,
University of the Philippine's Umali Hall located at the heart of the
university, across Freedom Park, provided not only a welcoming spot for those
drenched by the rain, but a warm reception to host an exhibition to one of the
Philippine's contemporary artist in the field traditional arts - Pakil Laguna's
very own Bernard Vista.
Bernard Vista
graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas majoring in Fine Arts back in 1989.
He is now a full-time painter after starting his early years as a member of the
famed Saturday Group and as an illustrator for a local publication. He had
numerous solo and group art exhibitions in the country affiliated with
NinevehArt Space and
Galerie Joaquin. Moreover, he is already establishing his name
internationally by being an artist-in-residence at
Artesan Galleryin Singapore.
Most of Vista's
works are scenes from the rural life stemming from a humble farming family in
Pakil Laguna. He paints in a cubism-style influenced by Ang Kiukok but with the
use of vibrant colors with the likes of the Great Fernando Amorsolo. His
signature bent head and big hands and feet signifies humility and hard work
respectively. This particular exhibit is no different in terms of his style.
But he is able to transcend his style not only to oil and canvas but also to
wood sculptures and paper mache.
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A couple of days before the exhibit opening. |
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Tweaking some Angry Birds. |
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Setting Up. |
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Mounting of paintings. |
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Bernard Vista with his collector, Professor Jerry Yapo. |
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Obligatory shoot with those who made this exhibit possible: With Ms. Irma Lacorte and Prof. Jerry Yapo. |
Bernard stated that
he always wanted to hold an exhibition in UP in the hopes of opening up to a
bigger audience. This year, he decided to focus on local exhibits to further
establish his name in the local art scene.
The opening of the
exhibit started a little bit after 4 o'clock. Most of the attendees were family
members, friends, collectors and UPLB students, but all of them were excited to
see beyond the close doors.
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The crowd awaits. |
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Nice turn out of spectators. |
The host presented
Ms. Maria Teresa from UPLB for opening remarks. She focused on how UPLB is on
its year to fiercely promote the art scene in the area and showcasing a Laguna
native is perfect to its vision.
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Ms. Maria Teresa for Opening Remarks. |
Professor Jerry
Yapo, Dean of the Humanities Department
immediately followed and accounted how he met Vista and started to
collect his paintings as a personal endeavour due to his unique style of
painting. He said that he recalls his own humble life back home coming from a
farming family as well through his paintings. What he likes about Vista's paintings the most he
said,"... is the positivity Vista's painting exudes."
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Professor Jerry Yapo to introduce the artist. |
Then the spotlight
turns to the artist himself. He apologized for not making that much painting
basing from his original quota due to the recent monsoon that greatly affected
his production. He also explains that his theme "Blessings" to the interested
audience that it is not only the idea in his paintings, but it is his newly
acquired skill on sculpting and paper mache that he is grateful for as a
blessing.
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The man of the hour. |
And lastly, the
guest of honor, Mr. Cecilio Adorna gives a few inspirational words. The former
Chief of UNICEF, recalls meeting Vista
through a relative of his and they immediately were able to engage in a
conversation sharing the same interest in the
arts and the future of it. Mr. Adorna has taken interests with Vista's
unique style and his own advocacy of establishing his own group of young artist
native to Pakil to further progress the art scene in the area for cultural
identity. He continued to talk about how it is this generation of digital
natives that has the responsibility to create change and awareness for the
future of the arts.
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"It's this generation's responsibility to create that change." |
After the wonderful
remarks, the exhibit is now officially open to public. Guests litter the
exhibition room with fresh sets of eyes . Gallery owners, guests and curators
mingled among the crowd to further discuss the art works and discourses. But
the best part of that evening is that the opening attracted new buyers which is
of course the goal of artist, to further promote his art, make connections and
sell his creations. And also there were some consign works waiting for him to
do.
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And thus, the public viewing commence. |
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The artist with Mr. Louie Sevilla, owner of Nineveh Artspace. |
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Did I mention that it was grandma's birthday as well? |
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Von, the artist's son, provides music for the whole evening. |
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Bernard Vista with fellow artist Dante Palmes. |
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A little performance art fun during the exhibit. |
The exhibit will run
until the 23rd of November. So for those of you who want to take a breather,
dear readers, come down to the South and feast on a wonderful humble exhibition
of Bernard Vista's Blessings.
For upcoming exhibits and projects, kindly like his Facebook page
here, dear reader.
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