The air was filled with smells of potato chips, stale bread, spilled coffee and a long forgotten uncleaned room. Competing itself with the stench of oil paint, water color, ink and the artists’ armpits.
I converted my bedroom as an extension of my studio. We only have a month to complete our projects for the exhibition. It was very tiring knowing that we still have to go to work in the weekdays and paint during the weekends. We have to buy our materials and I have to save money for my travel to Canada. Even if you turn our pockets inside out and inspect, we have no money, we’re broke. My co-exhibitor, Renz assured me it will be worth in the end. We even have no time for meals. Good thing, we have lots of supportive friends who donated pandesal (salted bread), corned beef and broasted chicken and reminded us to eat. Some ground coffee was left in the freezer and a few forgotten tea bags in the kitchen. We also have a half filled bottle of Pepsi which has long been forgotten.Some friends called to ask what we need and happily gave us. And some called for encouragement.
The Anghel dela Quacha exhibit in Saudi Arabia is not a big project, nor will it make a big difference. It came out from the idea that we cannot conduct an art exhibition without holding it in the Philippine Embassy or in a hotel. What we tried to demonstrate is that art can exist anywhere. Even in my bedroom.
The Exhibit
A few days before I left for Canada, April 24, 2009, we converted my bedroom ala studio into an art gallery. It was only 4×6 meter, enough for our intent. Renz completed 5 large oil paintings and I, 15 mixed media, added some small photographs and 1 art installation. How it fitted the room? You should have come. It has accommodated visitors and their families and had fun exposing the small kids to art.
Well, it was long done and this post was late. So let me just thank everybody who helped support the exhibit.
To Godofredo, my father, for the encouragement. Anthony and Luz Mangila, for the chicken broasted,drinks and for being the official photographer and official driver (salamat ng marami). To Kuya Armand, who sent us the pandesal and corned beef during the times when we have nothing to eat (tumagal yung pagkain ng isang linggo…milagro). To Dennis and Diana Rayo for purchasing my “Belly Dancer Series” (hanggang ngayon naka-frame pa yung binayad nyo). To the El Cirkulo family, namely: Francis Galdones, Glen Simbulan, Raffy Uy, Pol Supapo and Blu Fonseca. And for the El Cirkulo who were on vacation and still gave their support,namely: Alan Syfu, Jeri Fazunilla, Yon Layosa, Jay Bernal and Robert Hernandez. Thank you very much also to the friends and families who attended, and to my former boss John Prokopchuck and his family. And most especially to my wife, who have always supported me and my passion, all these years.
July 2, 2009
Categories: 1, Travel Arabia . Tags: Arabia, drawing, El Cirkulo, Fine Art, Lifestyle, Photography, Pinoy, Portraits, Studio, traditional, Travel . Author: juandelaquacha . Comments: 2 Comments
