Featuring the works of:
Aba Lluch Dalena • Alison Navarro • Andree Tiongson • Bea Viado • Daisy Onate • Dessa Mendoza Reyes • Eden Ocampo • Elaine Lopez-Clemente • Esther Garcia • Fel R. Plata • Imelda Cajipe-Endaya • Jing Sinay-Ocampo • Julie Lluch • Laura Britt-Fermo • Nina Chanco Libatique • Rara Carrillo • Rebie Picazo Ramoso • Salvacion Villanueva Frilles • Tinsley Garanchon • Vida Soraya Verzosa • Yasmin Almonte • Yllang Montenegro
While coming from different backgrounds with individual stories and life challenges, the exhibit “KASIBULAN ❤ Jigs” creates an opportunity to showcase women’s shared experiences of pain, loss, happiness as well as victory. Feminism goes beyond advocating women’s rights and gender equality. Along with it comes a sisterhood with a pact to empower each other and to provide a safe space where they can freely express themselves and hopefully heal as well. This is achieved by creating a solid support system wherein women empathize with one another and provide comfort and a helping hand.
The universal language of art is the platform by which the women of Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol na Kamalayan, also known as KASIBULAN, choose to express the foundation of this sisterhood. The artworks that are part of this art exhibit present ideas and symbols which explore themes of womanhood. The various works celebrate women’s strength and grace under pressure and their triumphs over their struggles.
The depiction of the feminine experience comes in myriad forms. The abstract images of Rebie Picazo Ramoso, the divine feminine and communing with nature from Eden Ocampo’s artworks, the environment in the works of Elaine Lopez-Clemente and Rara Carillo, the tenderness and capacity of women to love unconditionally in Julie Lluch’s sculpture and the symbols of womanhood and feminine strength in Imelda Cajipe-Endaya’s multi-media assemblages are just some of the magnificently rich artworks in the KASIBULAN collection for this exhibit. The KASIBULAN artists are united with all women in their shared feminine experiences and sentiments. This exhibit is also an expression of KASIBULAN’s love and solidarity towards their beloved sister and fellow artist, Yasmin Almonte, also known as Jigs, whose anguish is expressed in her hauntingly beautiful abstract paintings. Her life and works are proof of how one can be triumphant in turning torment and suffering into joy through the friendship and help of her loving and compassionate sisters in KASIBULAN.
The bond created in the KASIBULAN sisterhood conquers mountains of tribulations and celebrates life. In times of adversity, it is women who help each other survive, thrive, heal and overcome challenges that may be too difficult to be shouldered alone as an individual. “KASIBULAN ❤ Jigs” is not only a celebration of women in the arts, it is a celebration of women’s sense of community, their camaraderie and their love, hope and faith in each other.
