Mugna Paris 2013

CEBU, Philippines - While the Mugna Paris 2013 art exhibition can be described as Qube Gallery’s shortest-running show to-date, its overall cause for being can’t be dubbed as short lived.

Organized by the Mugna group and presented by Qube, the show celebrated its opening ceremonies last August 7 in Qube Gallery at the Henry, primed in being more than a collection of fine examples of Cebuano-made masterworks, but also set as a benefit fundraiser that’s intent in seeing to the successful run of the first major exhibition of Cebuano artists in France this September.

Collecting more than 20 works made by Cebu’s masters of the arts, the show mainly featured the works of artists who had received invitations from Michele Blumenthal, the mayor of Paris, and Frederic de Beauvoir of the Le 100 Etablissement Culturel Solidaire, for exhibitions and a month-long residency in Paris.

The invited artists are expected to take part in the annually held 12x12 art festival, just as they are expected to take part in enrichment exercises and create new works in their month-long stay in what is widely viewed as the world’s most active artistic and creative city.

Taking its name after the Mugna group (which is membered by the invited artists), Mugna Paris 2013’s presentation afforded Cebu with a glimpse of the artistic prowess that is inherent in the region’s top artistic talents.

Felix Catarata’s “Headless” bares significant meaning to the ideals of thematic contrast and the literal execution of representational ideals, just as Gigi Ocampo’s “Skin Deep” works though an updated take in the base principles of portraiture – focusing on its subject’s butterfly tattoo in giving viewers’ its scope in being in the here and now.

Palmy Pe-Tudtud’s keen attention to detail continues to be evident in “Prey I” and “Prey II”, just as the works defines how her utilization of color schemes and featured subjects gives way to thought provoking artpieces that bear a significant message.

Jose Yap’s “Gold Choker” easily points to the aesthetic sensibilities which has defined him as one of Cebu’s celebrated talents, working on a less-means-more philosophy that is neither de facto nor de jure, but distinct in itself.

Radel Paredes’ “Kwaras 4” stands out as a Mugna Paris 2013-featured piece, reinforcing Cebu’s growing fondness with abstract expressionism by utilizing non-traditional mediums in its creation.

The same could be said about Josua Cabrera’s “Kada Gabii Siya Ug Mga Higala Manglupad, Mobirada, Sinugnoran Sa Bahalina” and “Sa Ilang Mga Dila, Tagupan Ang Mga Nangaplod Nga Pulong”, with both pen & ink pieces “washed” and made  complete with tuba used as a medium.

In showcasing a varied sampling of the works of Cebu’s top artistic talents, Mugna Paris 2013 easily heralds an understated fact about the region’s current artistic standing – not only has art in Cebu grown, it has also found a new direction. (FREEMAN)