Printmaking in the Philippines
Posted by
Marchelo Vera on September 8, 2013 |
Comments Off on Printmaking in the PhilippinesAfter taking part in a fellowship opportunity at San Diego State University's Japan Studies Institute, I was determined to explore everything art, design and food across Asia. My independent study eventually led me and my colleague and friend,
John Remo, to the
University of the Philippines Diliman. It was there that we first stumbled upon some of the print media work of artist and educator Ambie Abaño.
I was fortunate to return to UP on a second casual visit that led to a tour by Visual Communications professor Marc San Valentin who kindly left his lunch on the table and welcomingly began to show us around the entire Fine Arts department. After being introduced to the artist herself, I was greeted with smiles into UP’s printmaking studio where I was really impressed with the craft and developed imagery of the students.
I was able to follow up with some questions on the exhibition I had seen weeks earlier at the Vargas Museum. The sculptural print media works give the impression of marks cut into linoleum, however it is a process that combines a variety of methods. Abaño’s prints combine installation, textiles, rubber, and serigraphy to create multi-dimensional works that almost draw viewers to the touch.
Transfigurations is an exhibition of portrait works imprinted onto spandex and materials that allow the viewer to experience a landscape of distorted and playful personas. Her work uses repetition and reproduction in a way that is organic and brings out the subtle characteristics that are found in the gazes of her transfigured portraits. She uses traditional and contemporary processes that interpret print, space, and form.
Bookmark / Share / Print
