Painting Hope

ART can touch lives. But first, art must be experienced.

With the objective of weaving the culture of two different countries, Singapore-based social enterprise organization Hearts Aflame held an art exhibit that featured selected works by Singaporean and Filipino visual artists.

Entitled “Tapestry of Lives: Our Stories of Hope,” the exhibit was held at The Arthouse, Singapore, from May 9-23. Hearts Aflame co-founder Fergus Jes Velasquez, a Cebuano, and his partner, Singaporean Hendrick Ho, wanted to come up with an event that would encourage a venue for sharing artistic ways and means, between the two neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

One objective of the event was to help artists from the Philippines market their work in Singapore.

“Singaporeans seem to have very well accepted Cebuano art. Some of those who attended the exhibit even expressed interest to visit Cebu to check out the works of other local artists,” said Sun.Star Cebu art director Josua Cabrera. Josua was one of the artists from the Philippines invited to the exhibit.

The entire exhibit featured around 70 paintings that revolved around the theme of positivity and hope. Joining the artists from Singapore and Baguio were Cebuano artists Allen Alesna, Archie Reyes, Barba T. Godinez, Dennis “Sio” Montera, Josua Cabrera, Michelle Agbay, Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Russ Ligtas, Jojo Gubalane and Japamala.

The launching was very well attended by mostly Singaporeans and was graced by a special guest, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, Minda Calaguian-Cruz.

“I was happy with the fact that there were even art critics present who bought our works and also discussed among themselves their observations,” Josua added.

One work of Josua featured during the exhibit was a simple image of two people reaching out to each other. As for the medium used, Josua used a blend of Chinese ink and acrylic.

A few art critics have pointed out if the usage of both Chinese ink and Acrylic (the former most associated with the east and the latter, the west) in a single artwork actually meant something deeper for the artist. Maybe some underlying theme that teased an artistic and cultural collaboration between the east and west?

Whatever the intention, art never seems to fail playing with the mind—whether it is by provoking thoughts or inducing dreams. Whatever the case, the virtue of hope was very well represented during the show by all artists regardless of their nationality.

For in essence, Singaporeans or Filipinos hope for the same things in life. The artworks prove it.