May 05, 2014

Cordillera: Arts Exhibition Aims To Increase Cultural Awareness And Appreciation


The Globe Art Gallery will contribute to raise awareness on the Cordillera culture and current social and environmental challenges through the exhibition of five Cordillera artists until June 2014.

Below is an article from the Philippine Star

Globe Telecom currently showcases “Biag,” an exhibition of artworks made by Cordillera artists, at the Globe Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases the works of five artists from Tam-Awan Village, a venue for art and cultural activities in Baguio City that aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the Cordillera culture and preserve the region’s heritage. “Biag,” meaning life, features five artists namely Mark Tandoyog, Alfonso Dato, Alfred Dato, Art Lozano and Herwin Buccat.

Tandoyog uses life itself as a source of inspiration. His personal travels have had great impact on his artistic development. He considers stories from his mother and father on culture and Igorot roots as inspiration for his art pieces. All the diverse strings around Tandoyog’s life converge in his art. The mix that is his life and the lives of those around him determines mixed media as his most comfortable expression.

Alfonso Dato has a preference for social realism but this does not keep him from producing images and landscapes of Baguio City. Dato views everything from a fresh vintage, by giving his subjects a new spin, he invites viewers to give familiar and ordinary scenes a second look and see the beauty that often eludes them. His works reflect nuances of how he processes events in his immediate environment, and society in general.

Alfred Dato takes advantage of being an artist to interact with fellow artists, taking every chance to be with people with the same interests and passion to exchange ideas, insights and thoughts. The natural beauty of his surroundings, people and places become his inspiration to create art.

Arthur Lozano is a painter from Ilocos who infuses the graceful art of dancing into his work. Lozano is described to be a “quiet environmentalist” who develops his talent to convey a message. He believes his works can be an instrument to propel the message of saving earth’s pristine beauty. He dreams that his paintings will inspire people to act and take full responsibility in preserving Mother Nature.

Herwin Buccat, an agricultural engineer from Pangasinan, hopes to enhance awareness on environmental degradation through his artworks and inspire action towards ecological conservation and protection.

“Biag” runs until June 15 [2014] at the Globe Art Gallery, located at the Globe headquarters in Bonifacio Global City.