Florence Cinco

In the case of the Philippines, is there a possibility for it to recover from its pre-colonial history? The conceptual framework of Florence Cinco speaks exactly about this promise.

Florence Cinco is known for his sculptures and mixed media artworks using various found objects. At the same time, he is also an avid practitioner of tantra yoga meditation and vegetarianism, with his artworks capturing the connection between his art and thought practices.

The artist believes that traces of time evidenced on found objects can be likened to the processes by which one is able to peel off myths in culture. The scratched layers of paint, faded varnishes, aged frames, rusted corners, rusted galvanized iron sheets that symbolize pre-colonial history, decayed surfaces of wood, as well as images of pre-colonial warriors on wood surfaces serve as metaphors of the processes that the consciousness of our people may endure in the road towards recovery.

By presenting these traces as metaphors, the artist slowly peel off layers of treachery, so that one may discover the alternative narration concealed beneath the official storyline of our history. This brings us to the realization that something can be done, that we can strip away contraptions in culture that beguile people into thinking that they are already free from colonial subterfuges.

Through assisted transfigurations of found objects, the artworks mimic an archaeological project aimed at the recovery of lost meanings and the appropriation of recovered memories for the benefit of the present. These bring spectators to a realization of our forgetfulness.

Found objects serve as receptacles of forgotten memories — memories that were relegated to forgetfulness by centuries of colonial acculturation. Memories rest and sometimes hide in our consciousness. They are there to be utilized when found. The very fact that the artifacts of the artist are found objects supports this contention.