Monday, December 04, 2006 Migrant's Art By Id Acaylar
WHEN I went to "Handumanan," Davao's Migrant Museum, I also discovered Art's collection of works of art. All done by migrant artists. Handumanan is also home for their creative outputs.
There was a Manuel Pañares with his pensive painting of Jesus Christ being brought down from the cross by the Bagobos. And Lito Pepito who I thought was only a painter surprised me with a bamboo sculpture.
This reminded me of a terrific bamboo sculptor from Toril, now deceased, who is known only as Patinio. I was gladdened to find one of his rare creations, a Madonna and Child on one of the house's consoles. But what caught my fancy were the numerous art pieces mostly made from driftwood found all over the house from the ceiling to the floor. And done by only one artist. His name, Rey Fuentes, didn't quite ring a bell.
So I pursued him in his home but only to find him and many of his art-works in Barangay Aquino Hall where he has a very modest exhibit and a visual art workshop with Agdao's out-of-school youth.
True enough, I found in his other works the might and mettle of the artist from Lapu-Lapu City who migrated to Davao 26 years ago. He learned his skills in Oroquieta City and honed it while working with various furniture makers in Davao City.
For a decade and a half now, he has resigned to his passion and set himself free to express his perceptions and emotions through discarded woods, mostly roots and driftwoods.
His subjects vary as he dwells on issues that range from people to environment, from politics to religion, which are made more pronounced by the titles he gave to his every creation.
What I found very interesting in Rey Fuentes's works is his principal medium, the driftwood and his ability to convert it into functional pieces: a stool, a table, a wine holder, a frame and many more. Because of its abundance in many of our shores, for several years I have been advocating for its use among local artists. And Rey has successfully done it.
Like many artists, Rey Fuentes has remained poor and obscure. Struggling, they say, seeking for recognition and patronage. This I think is not too far away if he keeps on trying and aiming for perfection. After all, this is what art, as a discipline is all about.
