1st Mindanao Art Fair and Exhibit
Theme: Traversing the River of Creativity
Atrium of Gaisano Mall, Davao City
10 a.m. to 9 p.m, October 5 and 6, 2019
(Exhibit Notes from MindanaoArt)
TITLE: RECENT CRESCENT: A photo and performance art exhibit.
CURATORIAL NOTES:
The Marawi Siege, though officially suppressed on October 17, 2017, continues to stir deep and grave emotions amongst Mindanaoans and thus, remains to be a strong subject of choice of artists. While there are hundreds of untold stories, this exhibition offers a timeless perspective bringing us back to this dismal point of our modern history, and at the same time challenging us to examine the other prevalent issues behind the ruins of the Islamic city.
The photographs and the wood relief series show the aftermath of the war. The artists believe that through such fine art, the audience is reminded of his/her acts of humanity: empathy with the families caught in the war, compassion for the orphaned children, veneration to the valor of our soldiers, and awakened sense of nationalism linking Filipinos regardless of cultural and religious backgrounds and ethnicities. Further, the exhibit encourages the audience to interact and reflect on his/her role as a Mindanaoan not just in the rehabilitation of Marawi, but more importantly in the context of nation building.
ARTISTS’ PROFILES
FROILAN GALLARDO
Froilan is a photojournalist and writer based in Cagayan de Oro City. He has been covering the wars between the Philippine government, the Moro rebels and the communist guerillas since the 1990s.
Froilan Gallardo
He has also covered the Lumads; farmers in the struggle for land; and daily lives of Mindanao communities.
He works with the Davao-based Mindanews, a news provider and regularly contributes to Mindanao Gold Star Daily, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN photos and BenarNews, a US-based website.
NICOLAS “NIC” ACA JR.
Nic is one of the country’s avant-garde artists who forwards his social commentaries and shares awareness to the common folk through the freedom of his performance art. His performance art pieces deal with environment, humanity, poverty and local politics.
Nic Aca
Directing a group of fellow artists or sometimes performing on his own, he walks the streets of Cagayan de Oro re-enacting social issues which he thinks should be brought to the consciousness of the people. Aside from his performances, he also paints and does mixed media and installation artworks.
Nic believes that the pursuit and production of true and good art require honesty of intention more than a truthfulness of perspective. If these are present, then all else will follow; the artist fulfills himself. According to him, art must stir the senses, challenge the status quo, and raise awareness.
