Easing Phl-China tension through art

MANILA, Philippines - Amid the ongoing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China, a Chinese artist seeks to bring the two nations closer through her paintings.

Seventy paintings by Yan Donko, wife of Austrian Ambassador Wilhelm Donko, depicting the harmonious relationship between Filipinos and Chinese are currently on exhibit at the National Museum.

“I just try to show (in my paintings) that the Philippines and China have a strong relationship. I hope everything will be solved in a diplomatic way,” Donko told The STAR in an interview at the ambassador’s residence in Makati City yesterday.

In her solo exhibition in Manila, the Shanghai-born artist tries to combine traditional images of the Philippines and the rich cultural heritage of the country with Chinese painting techniques.

“I simply made efforts to depict these Philippine cultural heritage sites and elements of Philippine daily life from a different cultural point of view,” Donko said.

The 47-year-old self-taught artist has been in the country since August 2009 and has visited Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, Benguet, Mindoro and Dumaguete.

“This is a beautiful country. Every place you visit, even in small villages you can always find very good pictures,” Donko said.

The country’s old churches are the favorite subjects of Donko.

“Because my major is history and because I studied history, I am very interested in the cultural heritage of the Philippines,” she said.

Donko has paintings of the old churches in the country, including the Jaro Metropolitan Church in Iloilo, Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Basilica del Santo Niño in Cebu, San Andres Apostol Church in Ilocos Norte, San Augustin de Hippo Church in Negros Oriental, San Raymundo de Peñafort Church in Cagayan, and San Pedro Apostol Church in Bohol, among others.

“You have a lot of nice Spanish churches. The church is one of the most important places for the Filipinos because they go to churches on Sundays,” she said.

“When they see the painting they will say ‘oh this is my place,’ they can identify,” she added.

Unlike her grandfather Hong Guozhang, who is a known calligraphy artist, Donko uses the freehand technique, loosely termed watercolor or brush painting.

“I took a photo and studied the history of the subject/place. I try to put some things together, even the flowers and some background make some harmony. I try to first read the history about this place and then I start,” she said.

“When I have time I paint. As a diplomat’s wife you have many things to do, you have social events to attend. When I have time I try to do it in my workplace,” she said.

Yan met her husband during her post-graduate study in Tokyo University and they got married in Austria in 1990.

“Every painting has a story,” Donko said.

She said her painting of “Taal Volcano Lake with Tilapias,” was based on a Chinese legend of the Koi, which makes it to the Dragon Gate and manages to jump over and become a dragon.

“It means wishing somebody success,” Donko said.

To help promote the country’s beautiful historical sites, Donko has published the book “The Philippines in Chinese Paintings,” a collection of her 70 paintings.

She said the book was also published in Vienna, Austria and Germany.

Donko’s paintings will be on display at the National Museum until Thursday, June 7.

Armita Rufino, president of the Philippine Heritage Festival Inc., said Chinese have been in the Philippines for so long that Filipinos have grown accustomed to Chinese culture. She said a significant percentage of the country’s population come from Chinese origins.

In 2010, the Philippines and China marked their 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

“Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world, and having an accomplished painter such as Yan Donko interpret Philippine culture using this age old art causes great pride and a sense of comradeship that is essential during these critical times,” Rufino said.