Tuesday, March 04, 2008
A priest as an artist
By Jenara Regis Newman
FATHER Dominador Besares, OSA, has been in Cebu for over a year and a half.
He takes care of the Basilica del Santo Niño Museum, as well as handles the concerns of the personnel of the basilica, aside from his ministerial duties. In his spare time, he paints, in what he terms as ethno-iconography.
Father Besares was born in Maasin, Iloilo, to Dominador Sr. and Clefas (Masiado). As a child, he was sickly and, because doctors said he would fare better near the sea, he went to Tacurong, in Sultan Kudarat. He stayed there for five years, during which time he was exposed to Muslim culture, a culture that accounts for the “ethnicity” part of his iconography.
He became a priest at age 25. Even when he was studying for the priesthood, his artistic bent showed itself and he was always in charge of making the illustrations for the seminary’s monthly newsletter. He made, as well, the covers of the yearbook, even without formal art study.
After 10 years of being a priest, he went on sabbatical leave, traveled, and then enrolled at the Institute of Fine Arts and Design, a subsidiary of the Philippine Women’s University. Here he honed his art, and continued to study even after his sabbatical leave to earn his fine arts degree. Here his professor encouraged him to go on the path of ethno-iconography, using religious themes with touches of ethnicity. He paints, mostly in oil on canvas, using religious themes over ethnic backgrounds, like the T’boli Madonna with Mama Mary in Muslim attire, and other figures, using ethnic weaving designs in the background.
Besares was in Milan in 2002, taking care of the needs of overseas Filipino workers, and in New South Wales, Australia, in 2004. Wherever he is assigned, he imbibes the atmosphere of the place and this finds his way into his paintings. In Cebu, where he has easily fitted in the local circle of artists, he has been inspired to paint the Santo Niño, as well as the candle and flower vendors in and around the basilica, and he hopes to do the sinuog (sinulog) for each of the individual intentions mentioned by the sinuog dancer.
A catalog of his works has been made into book, “Images Between Ages,” with text from fellow Augustinian priest, Arnel Antonio S. Dizon. Father Dizon categorizes Besares’ works thus: “Initial Strokes,” mostly nature views; “Splendor of Recreation,” which has his leaves series, as well as human figures; “Dream Works,” which has the T’Boli Madonna and the Crucified Christ.
There’s “Fusion and Contrast,” mostly of Mama Mary; “The Crown Jewel,” also of Mama Mary, with the Yakan Madonna; “Honor thy Father,” with family figures; “Hinabol nga Pagtuo,” with paintings of saints; “Across the Sea,” with paintings of St. Augustine and St. Monica; “Recent Encounters,” with his Cebu paintings, including his “Dagkot” series; and “Crossovers,” which features his carvings, including a tall work, “Ode to Icarus,” in iron and lead.
Besares says he is able to do all these works because he has a passion for it, and “when you love to do something, you will find time for it.”
His works are fitting addition to religious art, which has inspired primitive people to create in stone or wood, and other materials their idea of the idea of the divine, an art which flourished in the Christian art of the likes of Michelangelo, and which continues to this day in creative people like Besares.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 4, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
