Australian Embassy promotes indigenous pottery from Sagada

MANILA, Philippines - Sagada’s ancient and revered pottery traditions will be showcased this month in the Australian Embassy-supported “Ub Ubbo 2011.” This is an exhibition of artworks by contemporary potters from Nov. 15 to 29 at the Cav Wine Shop-Café, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The exhibit will feature 90 distinctly-crafted stoneware by Indigenous potters Lope Bosaing, Siegrid Bangyay, Teresita Baldo and Jesse Degay from Sagada.  They are joined by longstanding supporters Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, Joey De Castro, Jo Geraldo and Pablo Capati III from the Putik Potters Association of the Philippines.

“Ub Ubbo 2011” is the culmination of the Sagada Kiln Project (SKP) which involved the construction of a wood-burning kiln and pottery training center.  The project, borne through the efforts of Australian artist Sean Cassidy and funded by the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), assisted in preserving and sustaining Sagada’s unique cultural heritage.

“The project helped stimulate economic activity in the community by providing a venue where the local potters can produce and exhibit their work,” Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said.  

“Now on its third year, the ‘Ub Ubbo’ exhibition continues to be an excellent venue for the Sagada potters to showcase and market their works,” Ambassador Smith added.

Since 2006, DAP has provided P6 million to support initiatives that contribute to the welfare and income-generating capacity of the Philippine Indigenous peoples and the promotion and preservation of their cultural heritage and identity. 

The SKP has also evolved into a cultural exchange program.  In 2010, Cassidy organized a trip by Capati to Parkes, New South Wales, Canberra and Sydney where he held meetings with Aboriginal artists and pottery demonstrations with students.

This was followed by the “Melodies of Woven Light” exhibition which featured works of Capati, Virginia Dandan and indigenous artists Bosaing and Paul Quiano at the Rex Livingstone Gallery in Sydney and a visit by Australian Aboriginal artist Davey Newton to Sagada recently.

“Ub Ubbo 2011,” An exhibition of artworks by contemporary potters is presented in partnership with Art Informal and Wine Direct. 

For information, visit www.philippines.embassy.gov.au.