INDULGING herself to an artwork from a mere hobby has led Negrense Jeanelyn “Ji” Jarder to fame, citing her art exhibit dubbed as “Whimsy Wonders of Mind” held at the Philippine Consulate General grounds in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on April 6 which got the appreciation and recognition of the Philippine Consulate officials and her fellow Filipinos.
The said exhibit was part of the Consulate General's quarterly program that features emerging overseas Filipino artists that included her, a Bagoeno who hails from Bacolod City.
Jarder is currently in Bacolod to attend her school alumni and was jubilant in sharing her experience in the world of art.
“I am an interior designer by profession and doing visual arts is just a hobby. It is just a past time. But I did not expect that this hobby will lead me to something great. With the assistance of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates that hosted my art exhibit,” she said.
Philippine Consul General to Dubai Paul Raymund Cortes said they want to recognize the talent and skill of overseas Filipinos and urged everyone to consider the Consulate as a refuge for all artistic pursuits of the migrant Filipino.
The Consulate General has sponsored painting and photography exhibits, held song writing competitions, supported performances involving Filipino dance professionals in Dubai, undertaken film showings of Filipino independent films, and staged and collaborated with other groups on many other cultural presentations as part of its strategy to uplift the image of the Filipino, not only for other ethnicities but also among fellow Filipinos.
“It was an honor and a big privilege to be endorsed by the Philippine Consulate to showcase my artworks inspired by Bacolod's MassKara Festival masks,” Jarder said.
She was with Tom Alvarado, brother of artist Tom Alvarado, a famous award-winning Filipino Singing Painter from Sagay, and Danny Dahay, a former government employee of Silay City.
“I had two art exhibits dubbed as ‘Reflection and Emotion.’ I was a supporting artist in my first art exhibit. The second exhibit dubbed as ‘Fashunity’ was held on the occasion of the 100 years of Sheikh Zayed, the former ruler of UAE. Both were successful," she said.
Consul General Cortes said: “It is with much pride and immense joy that we present to the Filipino community in Dubai the work and art of Ji Jarder.
For quite some time now, the consulate general has endeavored to transform itself into a refuge for all the artistic pursuits of the Filipinos in this part of the world.”
“We had hoped that as the government continues to urge and encourage its stakeholders to express themselves in the various forms of the arts, we inculcate a greater sense of pride and commitment among the Filipinos to continue believing that our heritage shines on its own and is capable of spreading its influence not only among our people but to the rest of the global community as well,” Cortes said.
Truly, the works of Ji Jarder encapsulate the already excellent global repute of the Filipino artists, be in whatever form possible. Much of the Filipino community in this part of the world has yet to be tapped and it is our hope that through this exhibit we are one step closer to showcasing the diverse and deep bench of the Filipino artist in Dubai, he said.
Jarder said: “I really felt the meaning and value of works when I saw it displayed on the walls where everybody present showed their appreciation and elation on the 24 art pieces that are MassKara festival-inspired masks. I conquered my fears when my fellow Filipinos appreciate my hard work.”