Artists unite in largest exhibit in Negros Island

Text by Kristine G. Alonso

United Negros Artists (UNA) spearheaded the largest collaboration of several artistic groups for the first time in Western Visayas in the Philippines. The art exhibition which ran between January 20-30, 2023 involved 70 participating artists from different Filipino art groups covering a multitude of creations from paintings, to sculptures, poetry, and sketches.

‘UNA: The Prologue,’ led by Sandy Solinap of Galleria Verde, captures the goal to continuously invite Negrense artists from around the world to enhance, embody and emphasize its creative streak through expressions of being and artistic excellence.

The event perfectly provided an opening to strengthen relationships between artists and other active supporters, advocates, and partners.

Charlie Co, an international contemporary visual artist and co-founder of Orange Gallery in Bacolod City, opened the reception for the multi-talented artists participating in the event.

He encouraged artists to never stop making art-

Between Heaven and Earth

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GRAND AWARDEE in the Oil and Acrylic Category of the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) 2021 Painting and Sculpture Recognition Program

‘Between Heaven and Earth’ portrays the struggle of people to COVID-19. The dreadful virus, invisible to the eye, caused many lives to perish. Many more sought comfort works and emphasized that being storytellers of their own medium promotes their roots to the world.

Co said, as artists, it’s highly important to take each moment into being, and make every moment count - not just in the walls of where you live but expression must travel through a multitude of places, spaces and dimensions.

This thought-provoking insight is targeting all artists involved to keep believing in their capacity to make a difference through their art.

Such artists belong to various groups like the Pintor Kulapol, Prima Art Group, Feminine Touch, the Group of Negrense Artists (GONA), Terrapinta, the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros (AABN), and independent artists.

The event aimed to showcase how Filipino artists from sickness, isolation and pain and have recovered. Grateful to God for life’s second chance - to be blessed, to experience happiness and to live to the fullest. can come together to give birth to a bigger community of genius, experimentation, and creative pursuits.

My favourite subject is abstract, a nonrepresentational work of art that expresses feelings, emotions, and imaginations. To transform a feeling of sadness to happiness is what I want to share to my art patrons and collectors.

The blossoming of the art community in the Philippines, particularly in Bacolod City supports a spirit of camaraderie to create expressions that may be a bridgeway to communicate more to the world.

Mike “Nyoy” Pillora, member to the legendary folk pinoy band ASIN led the musical number for the event.

Other functions during the exhibit included the “Watercolor Jam,” gathering artists to showcase their painting skills in watercolor to celebrate the World Watercolor Day.

‘UNA: The Prologue’ has upcoming events throughout the year.

Albert Cuypmarkt is an Amsterdam staple since 1905 for both locals and tourists. It is located at the heart of De Pijp, a location known for its vibrant streets lined with hip restaurants and bars. It is a market that is home to over 200 independent stalls and it is to no surprise that Kusinang Pinoy fits right in with the Albert Cuypmarkt scene.