• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
A group art exhibit featuring the works of 22 visual artists from Negros, Guimaras, and Iloilo, is ongoing at The Negros Museum in Bacolod City.
The show, titled “Ang Pagtabuay sg Gahum kg Kinaadman”, which opened on February 27, is a pre-event group exhibition of Viva Excon, Guimaras 2027, and a collaborative show by KOLEKTIB OPENSIB, a newly formed art collective co-founded by Gao Rezaga and Mel Araneta.
It features the works of Rezaga and Araneta, GilJohn Quiamco, Leo Carton, Francis “Boy” Alacapa, J.R. Ledesma, Butz Salanap, Revo Yanson, Lalaine Espectato, Hanz Martin Javier, Gerome Booc, Ryan Doy, Salvador Escalante lll, Christopher Fernandez, Arvin Belecano, Arvin Hervias, Sandy Coberos, Cresline Corsiga, Eros Escareondencio, Jr. Hilario, Frank Alexi Nobleza, and John Paul Castillo.
“We take pride in being a space where diverse voices, perspectives, and creative energies converge. We continue to embrace initiatives that meaningfully expose our community to arts and culture – projects that provoke thought, deepen reflection, and encourage dialog,” The Negros Museum president Lyn Gamboa said at the opening ceremony.
This exhibition is a powerful testament to the strength of contemporary Visayan art. The works presented confront power and violence, speak of faith and grace, transform discarded materials into beauty, and declare resilience in the face of adversity. They remind us that art carries both gahum and kinaadman – power and wisdom, she added.
“Ang Pagtabuay sg Gahum kg Kinaadman” promises to be an unforgettable experience – one that lingers long after the curtains close. By celebrating the complexities and triumphs of the human experience, this showcase cements Negros Occidental’s place as a hub for innovative and thought-provoking art.*
