An Art Exhibition in Stockholm

Over the winter season, the Filipino- Swedish community in Stockholm were lavishly treated to a spectacular Art Exhibition aptly entitled 7641 Reasons. This number was inspired by the Philippine islands, and the boundless creativity of the Filipino people wherever they are.

The Exhibit showcased the brilliance of Sweden-based female artists using a variety of art genres. On display were paintings, sculptures, pottery, lights installations – all representative of the Filipino identity, tradition, culture and history.

Featured here are more artists and their respective art expressions.

Mary Buskas´ oeuvre of oil paintings depicting her love for Nature.

Elizabeth Labarda-Kronquist “The Fierce Art” captivating, whimsical and delightful watercolor paintings

Isabella Smolarski’s sustainable designs under her company Lilla Labbet

Marga Lacson´s infusion of the fluidity of nature and her usual taste of the earthy rough textures

Ofelia Casel Persson´s representation of colorful culture from Southern Philippines.

The exhibit was organized by FAAS or the Filipino Artists Association of Sweden founded by Aya Sunga-Askert, Helen Svendgaard and Mary Grace Svensson. It was sponsored by Elle´s Kusina and Westers Art.

Established in 2018, FAAS is a community of established Filipino artists in Sweden and the organization continues to cultivate and support creative growth amongst its members.

Mary is a painter who has demonstrated her innate artistic ability since childhood. Mary’s art reflects her interest in the beauty of the Swedish nature and her paintings emanate a sense of joy and serenity. She uses oil and acrylic to create brilliant colors and interesting compositions. She hopes to keep experimenting in the art world. Through education, she hopes to help children uncover their creative potential.

Elizabeth is a painter, professional makeup artist, fashion illustrator, graphic artist & web designer. She has a great eye for detail. Using mixed media or digital art, she puts together creations with whimsical colour scheme. Her watercolour, acrylic, gouache paintings and illustrations are known for their dreamy colours. She looks at everyday life and paints them in a nostalgic world, from small canvases to murals.

Infusion of the fluidity of nature and her usual taste of the earthy rough textures. Marga is the granddaughter of a Philippine National Artist, Lucrecia Reyes Urtula. Conceivably where she takes after with her passion for the arts. Joining the Filipino Artists Association in Sweden has motivated and inspired her to pour out her soul, feeling the emotion and translating that into a canvas. The art that she has created for this exhibit was inspired by the fluidity of nature infused by her usual taste of rough textures. Her fascination over different mediums and creating textures in her work are evident in her more recent masterpieces.

The name “Lilla Labbet” pays homage to what founder Bella Smolarski believes to be a designer’s best friend - all the little experiments we do before we get to the coveted final product. She believes slowing down to think carefully about where our products come from and how they will eventually end their lifecycles is an important part of the design process. Bella likes to mix Asian and Scandinavian design traditions in her work with wood and brass objects.

Gothenburg-based artist, Ophelia has been honing her skills in acrylic and oil painting for the past decade. She is originally from Mindanao and is fascinated by the diverse and rich culture of the different tribes that live there. Her goal is to convey the beauty of festivities that transcend from the different indigenous groups living in the southern part of the Philippines