|
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Junar's artistry
By Richie Landis Doner Quijano
Cebuano artists are known in the national capital as particularly masterful in the techniques of the representational genre.
That’s because the Cebuano style and preference is well entrenched in the serenity of pastoral and idyllic subjects. Thus, most of the locally-produced art revolves around daily routines in the lifestyle of the common people, like farmers amidst a landscaped background in most natural colors. Cebuanos are very true and honest in depicting the rarely seen and bygone scenes of the picturesques countryside.
Credit for the adeptness and technical supremacy is due to the “maestro” Prof. Martino Abellana, who started it all by championing such themes in figural painting like the mother and child and pristine landscapes. The strong influence of Abellana’s techniques can be seen and felt in the strokes of contemporary Cebuano painters today.
Of the new and young painters on the block, one who is following in the same direction is Mactan-based artist Junar Villena, whose artistic development we have closely followed in the numerous exhibits of the Cebu Art Association and in the Panaghugpong series of shows. Villena sits as vice-president of the association.
Villena, who is in his early thirties, is largely self-taught as he is educated in the field of computer science. Before going full-time as a painter, he had stints in the applied arts and design companies like Lockwell Phils. Corp. from 1990-1998.
While there, he received citations for honesty and as best in research and ideas. Soon after, he found himself employed as a fashion accessory designer for Korlandia Phils. from 1998-2002. His employment in these companies gave him the much-needed experience and honed his skills further in the many fields of art and design. Painting in earnest, he also involved himself in extra-curricular activities such as youth organizer of the group Prayer, based in the Our Lady of Rule parish in Opon where he was cited for his valuable contribution as a youth leader.
Among his art-related awards, he placed as finalist in three important competitions namely the annual Kadaugan sa Mactan contest; the Martino Abellana on the spot competition in Carcar in 2003; and the Metrobank National Art competition in the same year. Today we can see him filling canvas at the Marina mall in Ibo, Lapu-Lapu city. He has a mini-gallery there called 100% ARTS, accepting portraiture and framing services. And he, quite excitedly, made an early announcement of a major exhibit for the year, a one-man show at the SM art center this coming December. Now that’s a date we’ll all be looking forward to.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 28, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
