CEBU, Philippines - The Hiraya Gallery together with SM City Cebu have commissioned artist Randalf Dilla to create conscience-raising murals, depicting the atrocities perpetrated during the Martial Law regime in the country.
"Salvaged Memories, Salvaged Lives," which measures 8 feet-by-18.5 feet carries the word "salvaged," a curious word on which the Urban Dictionary has remarked: "In the Philippines, 'to salvage' means 'to kill' a person" - the opposite meaning of the word, which is 'to save.' The mural is on display at the Qube Gallery in Crossroads, Banilad.
Dilla's second mural, "#WHATNOW," measuring 8 feet-by-17 feet, was conceived with a raging and overwhelming emotional temper, a vision whirling with conflicts between the two major institutions despite the popularly held dictum of "the separation of Church and State." Alas, it is a disturbing portrait of a country in a perpetual state of upheaval and turmoil, governed by grandstanding leaders heedless of the people's plight and in the process being left behind by the progress of the other Asian countries. The painting is currently on display at the 2nd level of The Northwing, SM City Cebu.
At the young age of 28 at the time of the artwork's execution, Dilla had obviously not been born yet during the Martial Law regime. He had to research assiduously and distilled the wealth of materials he gathered into a few significant elements.
Tyranny of Hindsight runs until January 31. For more information, one may call 523-3331, email dididee@hiraya.com, or visit Facebook page /hirayagallery or website www.hiraya.com. (FREEMAN)