By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)
ILOILO CITY — The art pieces of Filipino artist Nunelucio Alvarado from Sagay City, Negros Occidental are now on display at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) located at the Iloilo Business Park until December 10 this year.
The exhibit dubbed, “Songs from the Sea”, was opened to the public on Nov. 10. It is composed of a series of paintings and objects that appear to be a far cry from the jarring depictions of life in the cane fields and mills, for which Alvarado has been known.
In an interview, Alvarado said his creation is his way of giving back to the community in the coastal areas of Sagay that helped and inspired him in his art.
Known for his work as a social realist, Alvarado has been a painter for over three decades now.
He also runs ‘Kape Albarako’, a cafè and art space that is integral to the Sagay City’s creative community.
Alvarado said his paintings displayed at the exhibit show colorful but deformed faces to symbolize the crisis in life of the people, particularly the sugarcane workers and fisherfolk in their town.
Some of these were painted in stones and plastic bottles.
“I want to raise social awareness on the real life of the people,” he said.
As a renowned artist, Alvarado shared one of his tips, which he wanted other aspiring artists to adopt.
“You have to immerse so that you will know life, environment and community not just study because if you only base on books, that is designed by other artists and writers but if you immerse, you can create in depth art,” he said.
Meantime, Tefel Pesigan-Valentino, vice-president and head of marketing and business development at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, described the exhibit of Alvarado as a “moving masterpiece that showcases the beauty of Filipino culture even in mundane everyday experiences.”
“This is only the beginning and we are committed to upholding the undeniable talent of local creative minds and the promotion and preservation of art in the entire region,” she said.
She then invited Ilonggos and other art lovers to visit the exhibit of Alvarado located at the Hulot Gallery at the ground floor of the ILOMOCA, the first museum at the Iloilo Business Park.
