In the heart of Bicol, a powerful narrative is being rewritten by a collective of female artists. Through their art, they are challenging the long-held perceptions of women’s roles and creative expressions. These transformative ‘Artmosis Exhibits,’ are boldly reclaiming their stories, presenting contemporary visions of strength and independence, unbound by traditional constraints.
This four-woman exhibition, hosted at Kapihan in Legazpi City, showcases a diverse range of artistic styles. From CJ Yuson Llorca’s enchanting magical realism to Danica Dionne Ortega’s profound abstracts, each artist contributes to a celebration of empowerment.
Jenica Ariane and Jarey Almoguerra’s artworks further embody an artistic uprising against both gender and art norms, demonstrating the power of individual expression.
Women Struggles
According to Dennis Concepcion, the Artmosis curator and president of ArtLiftPH – Bicol, the artworks of the featured artists is a pride of Bicol. He said that each piece reveals the artists’ self-perception, aspirations, and the struggles they faced.
Emphasizing the transformative power of art as a voice, Concepcion argued that the artists’ bold strokes and resolute palettes not only tell compelling stories. He said that each piece also challenges the very foundations of how art is valued and how women artists are perceived within the broader cultural landscape.
Llorca, driven by a desire to liberate future generations of women, draws strength from her own experiences, sharing how art served as her solace during a period of profound personal darkness. She said that art had been her only real company back then, especially when she experienced her darkest days. She called art her unpaid therapist.
Now that she’s healed, she wants to paint to uplift and inspire others who are also in need. Llorca hopes that her artworks will be a beacon of hope through her vibrant creations.
Art Heals
She now produces magically-themed, vibrantly colored pieces that offer solace to those navigating their own dark days.
Ariane, similarly inspired by fantastical worlds, embarked on a creative journey. She experimented with various art forms until she found her unique voice, prioritizing her well-being in the process. According to her, it was a conscious decision to prioritize art, leading her to discover the works of Yoshitomo Nara, Aya Takano, and Chizu Wada. Her inspirational artists’ use of color, composition, and emotion resonated deeply with her work.
Ortega, a pharmacist turned artist, bridges the medical field with the healing power of art. She argued that these seemingly disparate worlds can coalesce to provide both physical and emotional well-being. Like her, Almoguerra, defying the notion that art cannot sustain, blends her artistic talents with her culinary passions. For her, art nourishes on multiple levels, engaging all senses and satisfying the hunger of the soul.
Together, these artists, through the ‘Artmosis Exhibit,’ herald a new era for women in Bicol. They are now crafting their own vibrant legends and independent of any pre-existing narratives. Without the need for any external validation, they are proving that Bicolana artists are inspiring in their own powerful ways.