“Babaye”

CEBU, Philippines - Crass and tongue-in-cheek alliterations of the concept of “beauty” are nowhere to be seen in the group exhibit “Babaye” – a Women’s Month-themed show that’s currently on display at the Rizal Memorial Library & Museum.

Composed of artworks made by the members of Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines Inc. (PASPI), the creative presentation sheds some light on what “beauty” means to an artist – rhapsodizing that “beauty” is not just eye candy but is the “essential” in “what is essential is invisible to the eye”.

Mainlined by narrative tableaus rendered in either oil, acrylic, watercolor or pastel, the show primarily concerns itself with visual tellings of strength of character in the midst of honest work, leisure and discovery – visual tellings of “beauty” in the process of defying the loopy and self-deprecating traits in societal norms.

Underscored by PASPI’s commitment towards uplifting the craft and practice of traditional fine art portraiture to higher degrees, the show enjoins viewers to veer away from the groomed and manicured distillations that’ve become characteristic for “beauty” – to identify what is beautiful in every facet of life’s ever changing landscapes and scenes.

Presented by the Rizal Memorial Library & Museum with PASPI for the duration of the month, “Babaye” is part of an ongoing series of monthly exhibits that’s slated to be held in the venue throughout the year. The series aims to feature the works of at least five PASPI members in every holding – to present the creative capacities and capabilities of the organization’s roster of established and up-and-coming talents. (FREEMAN)