• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An award-winning Negrense photographer and author opened his solo photo exhibition Saturday at The Negros Museum, Bacolod City, which will run until July 31.
Titled “Faces I Places I Spaces”: Bringing Europe to Bacolod, the exhibit is a personal compilation of Europe-based Rodolfo “Binky” Quevenco’s photographs along the genres of street and people photography; travel and architecture; and landscapes.
“They encapsulate the Faces I’ve seen, the Places I’ve been and Spaces I’ve found myself in. Thus the title,” he said in a statement.
Guests of honor at the opening were Bacolod Councilor Em Ang, Mila Chiu and Jenny De los Reyes, Negros Cultural Foundation assistant secretary and board member, respectively, and Camera Club of Negros president Kimwell Laluma.
Tanya Lopez, The Negros Museum executive director, said “This exhibition not only connects us to our memories but also inspires future generations of photographers and storytellers to utilize their craft for self-expression, document and raise awareness about social issues, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage.”
This exhibition also aims to support environmental efforts, particularly here in the Province of Negros Occidental. All donations and proceeds from the sale of the exhibit will be used to set up a small-scale, modular plastic recycling facility which will turn plastic waste into everyday objects – based on the Precious Plastic model initiative developed in the Netherlands – to combat waste pollution while also providing a source for livelihood. They are exploring the possibility of partnering with the University of St. La Salle and the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Center for this initiative, Lopez added.
Rodolfo Quevenco is a Negrense residing in Vienna, Austria, where he worked for 30 plus years as a communications officer and senior editor in charge of web and social media operations within the United Nations systems. In 2016, right after retirement, he went back to his photographic roots, dedicating more time and effort into what was previously just a past-time and hobby.
It was a logical move. Photography has been his passion since the 1970’s, beginning with film and traditional darkroom processing. Photography was and is something he was acknowledged to be “good at.” In the early 1990’s he was also among the first to transition to digital photography, going as far as introducing a digital photographic workflow into the environment. This was considered to be pioneering work at that time and earned him accolades and a promotion.
With a keen eye for details and an appreciation for the interplay of light and shadow, Rodolfo’s body of photographic work reflects a deep connection to the world around him, portraying scenes that evoke emotion and intrigue.*
