|
Monday, January 16, 2006
Ah, woman
By Kathy Villalon Cinco
WOMEN are works of art.
I've heard this somewhere before. The person who said it added that both men and women admire women's bodies. It's probably the curves and the female movements that men would find hard to imitate.
The second time I heard the above quote was from Melis Erbas, an Ilongga artist who's stirring men and women's senses through her subjects - the female anatomy.
Honestly, when I first saw her works focusing on the female form, I thought she was a man. The unique artist's name didn't help a bit. Oops! That above sentence was a bit chauvinistic coming from a female.
In a text message before our interview, she stated, "I chose women because we have sensuality and power in a mysterious way that nobody can put into words. As a woman, I also support the inner strengths of women. My subjects have unusual poses not because of the 'let's have sex' notion but they portray women's sensuality in her daily movements."
So, what more can Erbas say about her work and life as an artist? Check out the following interview.
Sun.Star Iloilo Weekend: You have a unique name. How were you named this way?
Melis Erbas: It's a combination of the names of my grandmother Mele and grandfather Meluk. So, to make it more feminine, my parents named me Melis.
SSIW: I heard that when you were just a kid, your artworks already stood out.
ME: We have this drawing class during my elementary days. While my classmates drew stick figures, I was already drawing the human form.
SSIW: Do you also draw the male form?
ME: I'm more into the female anatomy. It does not mean that I'm not interested in men or that I'm a lesbian (laughs). Ask any artist, they'll tell you that women are the best examples of art.
SSIW: Why is that?
ME: With women, you can see a lot of emotions. Then, there are the curves. So, my works basically praise women.
SSIW: What medium do you use?
ME: I normally use charcoal for the torso and the human anatomy. I use acrylic for my canvases. I draw differently on the canvas. Since I was small, I've been using charcoal. Now, I'm trying to put my colors into practice.
SSIW: What's your approach to art?
ME: Impressionism. I have no models in my subjects on canvas. I just put want I want to put on canvas. Still, the concept is about the female.
SSIW: Any grand plans as an artist?
ME: To be honest, I don't have big plans to go full time as an artist. I'm only 21 and I have so many plans to fulfill. But I'll never leave the art scene. At present, I'm managing the Artesons Gallery, which is owned by Erwin Chiongson. It's in Art Republic, Robinsons Place Iloilo.
SSIW: You graduated with a degree related to art?
ME: No. I'm a BS Tourism graduate.
SSIW: Tourism and art. How do you reconcile the two?
ME: For one, I love both. Second, they are not far from each other. Both means meeting people and learning from their culture and background. There are times when I have an artist's block. So, meeting people and learning about their culture serves as an inspiration in creating art.
SSIW: Any plans for a one-woman show?
ME: I admit, that's my frustration. I've been joining group exhibits for now. In a one-woman show... wow, I really need to stay at home for one year. It takes long preparation. Of course, you need to invite the people who can buy your works. Doing a solo exhibit is not just putting artworks on the wall. It's also selling yourself because you want to create an impression to your collectors and that you want to keep them.
SSIW: What's your take on Ilonggos' appreciation of art?
ME: The Ilonggos' appreciation for art is not very strong because maybe of the effect of the economy. But it's not supposed to be the reason. Art is for everybody. You don't consider the status of the person. An artwork is an expression of the artist to awaken sentiments of the public as regards the message he or she imparted. So, the notion that art is only for the elite is very wrong.
Art is for everybody. Art writes our history. For example, how would archeologists know that there were people in the Stone Age? It's because they left their marks through drawings. It's also a powerful medium for hidden messages.
SSIW: Like Leondardo da Vinci . . . Da Vinci Code.
ME: Yes. Art is the most mysterious and most informative form of expression.
SSIW: What would it take for Ilonggos to love art?
ME: It would be really nice if all artists would work and work and show their art .. that's all. We should flood Iloilo with our artworks. If you have to shout to the whole world and get their attention, we have to focus, draw all we can and show everybody that art is important.
We also have to be consistent with our work to gain support.
We shouldn't wait for the government to pull us and give us support. Instead, we artists should show that we deserve the support.
So there you are .... Women are not just born with curves and sensuality. Our gender was born passionate on the things that we set our minds and hearts to. /KVC
(January 16, 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
|
