Sinulog: An Interpretation

CEBU, Philippines - While Cebu Artists Inc.'s first group exhibition for 2014 can be described as expected, in no way does it mean that it—in its entirety—is predictable.

Celebrating its opening last January 10 in the second level of the Ayala Center Cebu, the show—entitled Sinulog: An Interpretation—gathers the works of more than 30 Cebu-based visual artists, each intent on proffering their individual translations of the interpretative offering norm.

Highlighting oil paintings, watercolors, mixed-media pieces, wood sculptures and pen & ink illustrations, not all of show's presented pieces are anchored on the Sinulog's vibrant and festive feel, but they all do take their thematic cues from the pretexts and subtexts of faith, purpose and duty.

Emar Lacorte's "Kinabuhi sa Sinulog", one of the show's worthy-of-mention pieces, readily illustrates this point, bearing a temporal tone that comes from its captured subject's emotions. The same could be said about Jess Dinglasa's "Walk of Faith", whose overall execution gives significant meaning to the ideals of dynamism in the visual arts space.

Celso Pepito's "Manifestation of Faith", another worthy-of-mention piece, takes a profound stance in illustrating how a combination of different artistic techniques and styles can yield to a distinct visual tableau.

Antonio Alcoseba's "Sayaw Halad" and Darby Vincent Alcoseba's "Domain of Faith" both take a profound stance in illustrating how one can push the bounds of acrylic and watercolor as creative mediums.

Efren Enolva's "Joy of Faith" and Luther Galicano II's "Mother and Child with a Sto. Niño" are both veritable examples of how narrative paintings still have a place in today's highly contemporary times, each crafted with a care and concern that's not easy to find.

Taking a proactive stance in capturing the varied markers that have come to define Cebu on the third week of every January, Sinulog: An Interpretation is more than just a humble gathering of works whose subjects and themes are not readily lost in translation, but also a proud marker that says a lot about how progressive our creative talents have become.

Sinulog: An Interpretation will be on exhibit until January 27, 2014, in the second level of the Ayala Center Cebu