Unity in diversity

CEBU, Philippines - Give an artist enough time to explore his creative bounds and he is sure to go though different phases throughout his career.

From personal debates that weigh the merits of one creative theme over another to internal soliloquies that ask the question of why paint at all, creative shifts are, at some point, inevitable for artists - at times even necessary for creative growth.

Though not specifically underlined, this "shifting reality" in the visual arts space punctuates Cebu Artists Inc.'s (CAI) group exhibition for the month of April: "Unity in Diversity."

Currently on exhibit in the third level of the Ayala Center Cebu's new expansion, "Unity in Diversity" is more than one of the many group shows organized by CAI, as its presentation marks the organization's 19th year in causing progressive shifts in Cebu's creative landscape.

Gathering more than 50 paintings, illustrations and art installations, the exhibit's presented pieces are not bound by a specific theme, as its overall execution is an allusion to CAI's personality as an organization - whose membership roster is populated by artists with individual styles and artistic quirks that have led the group into propelling the metro's creative mindsets to higher highs.

From narrative paintings to abstract expressionist compositions, "Unity in Diversity," as a show, can also be described as a tasteful collection of the different creative movements and artistic styles that embody the visual arts space - saying something about how creatively eclectic CAI's member-artists truly are.

But beyond archiving CAI's 19th year, illustrating different visual art styles and illustrating how change is essential for creative growth, "Unity in Diversity" also heralds one often-ignored aspect of the visual art practice - creative growth can happen anywhere, but if it is not matched with direction, it's as good as calling for change simply for the sake of change.

"Unity in Diversity" ran on its last day yesterday, April 30. (FREEMAN)