Peace-Inspired Artworks Exhibit Opens In Zamboanga City

Rameer Tawasil's "The Flight". (Photo by Darwin Wee)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – In an effort to deliver the message of peace artistically, 19 renown and local visual artists all over southern Philippines have staged an art exhibit at the National Museum in line with the observance of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

More than 40 peace-related art pieces are currently being displayed at the right-wing of the centuries-old Spanish Fort-turned-museum.

The art exhibit, dubbed as "Artes y Paz" (art and peace), was formally opened to the public on Monday. It was attended by different religious groups locally and internationally, peace advocates, and local officials.

"Through our art works, we hope it can contribute in the movement to free Mindanao from the different levels of conflict," said Tausug-Zamboangueno artist Rameer A. Tawasil, who led the gathering of visual artists here.

Rev. Fr. Angel C. Calvo, CMF, president of Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ), who is initiating the weeklong peace celebration in the city, said that the art exhibit signified that Mindanao stakeholders should work collectively to create a peaceful environment in the south amid continuing hostilities in Central Mindanao and in the neighboring island provinces.

The participating artists are Tawasil, Al-qasmi Lakibul, Chito Alvarez, Kit Lorenzo, city councilor Gerky Valesco, Jupiter Pollisco, Saad T'laa, Jojo Martinez, Juni Grapa, Kurt lluch, Leah Padilla, Raymund Malicay, Errol Balcos, Nick Aca, Ivan Macarambon, Joel Geolamen, Jake Vamenta, Nonoy Estarte, Michelle Lau-ta Naw, and Michael Bacol Lagos.

Among the art pieces are the abstract series of Cagayan de Oro-based Aca's "Inner Peace" and mixed media art on "Lead Me lord," which comes from the medium of metallic lead.

Tawasil also unveiled three charcoal and pencil drawings on peace meditation entitled "The Flight."

Martinez, who is a practicing architect in Dipolog City, displayed his unique colorful 14 x 14 inches hologram collage art piece called "Malinawon" which means “peaceful” in the Bisayan dialect.

"When you keenly view the semi-three dimension of my art, there is a message of calmness. The layered colors represent the diversity of the people here in Mindanao, which connotes the beauty of harmonious relationships," the 60 year-old Martinez, who is also a sculptor, said.

Young Lakibul, who is known for his colorful and intricate Arabic-inspired calligraphy, also put on display several peace-related artworks.Local visual artists Pollisco, Lorenzo, Alvarez and the others put on view their own masterpieces, which include a depiction of the daily life of the Badjaos, scenic landscapes, and flowers.

The exhibit, which will run for two months, can be viewed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Darwin Wally T. Wee)