CEBU, Philippines – It's not often said, but art's density and permanence is not only characterized by creative movements and styles, but also in how it becomes a paroxysm that defines a culture's identity.
After all, an artist cannot deny his personal background from playing a role in defining his creative methods and processes - just as he constantly strives to find the optimum balance between influence and individuality in his pilgrimage for creative identity.
This relationship between art and artists, influence, culture and identity is essentially the glue that binds the "Langkawi Art Biennale 2014: Homecoming Exhibit" - Cebu Artists Inc.'s (CAI) featured show this month.
Opening on November 15 at the 3rd level of the Ayala Center Cebu, the exhibit is basically an offshoot of the recently concluded Langkawi Art Biennale 2014 that was held in Malaysia - an event which select CAI members were invited to participate in.
With classic and contemporary-themed works topbilling the show, the exhibit fetes some of the paintings that were showcased in the international art confab - presented next to a series of new works that were made after.
Collectively, the exhibit's raison d'etre revolves around the plethora of connotations and aspirations that are tied with the concept of "migration," delving into its triumphant truths, its bittersweet unremitting realities and the varied assertions of enterprise that often serves as its countenance.
Running until November 30, the show is unique as a homecoming-themed art exhibit since it doesn't exactly catalogue new discoveries in the visual art field - but rather focuses on how art can be a pathway that brings us home to our own cultural legacy.