The Kuris exhibition entitled “Baluwarte”, showcases about 45 paintings that creatively depict the everyday life and the culture of the Mangyan tribesmen in the province. (DSG/PIA Occidental Mindoro)
SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — The Kuris: The 2nd Annual Painting Exhibition 2023 opens to the public, featuring local artists from the municipality of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro who gathered to immortalize the vivid culture and rich tradition of the town in paint and canvas.
Ruben Casungcad, one of the local artists and spearheads Kuris, explained that the exhibit, entitled “Baluwarte”, showcases about 45 paintings that creatively depict the everyday life and the culture of the Mangyan tribesmen in the province.
“Ngayong taon, ang title natin ay baluwarte kasi nagkataon po na ang siyam na artist na nag-exhibit diyan ay lahat po ay taga [bayan ng] San Jose, so ang San Jose po ay baluwarte ng mga artist ngayon. Ang theme po na sinisikap naming ipakita ay San Jose scenery, faces, saka mga arts,” Casungcad shared.
He also highlighted that Kuris aims to serve as a haven for creative minds and empower artists around the province to hone their craft through workshops, seminars, and exhibits as the first steps in making San Jose the core of culture and arts in the province.
Additionally, the renowned artist Nemesio “Nemiranda” Miranda Jr., known as the Father of Imaginative Figurism who graced the activity emphasized the role of artists in preserving history and culture, “ ‘Yong mga ipinipinta nila ay nagde-depict ng pang araw-araw na buhay ng ating mga mamamayan, ng ating bayan, ng ating mga katutubo…masasabi natin na sila ang visual historian of our time. Sa haba ng panahon, lilipas tayo…pero ang visual historians ang magsasabi ng kasaysayan…na naidokumento nila sa kanilang paintings.”
“Danglayan” by Manuel V. Nonesa. This is one of the creations displayed in Kurit: The 2nd Annual Painting Exhibition 2023 in the municipality of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Nonesa shared that he wants to capture the daily life, tradition, and the rich culture of the Mangyan tribesmen in the island of Mindoro. The cubism and pointillism art piece is created using oil and acrylic paint on canvas. (DSG/PIA Occidental Mindoro)
Miranda Jr. also underscored the importance of the local government and the community’s support for artist for the industry to flourish and contribute to the town’s tourism, “Sa suportang binibigay sa mga artist ay lalong mapapaunlad natin ang ating mga mamamayan. Ang pwersa at lakas ng ating turismo ay nasa creative empowerment ng ating mga manlilikha ng sining.”
On this note, Ann Roxanne J. de Vera of the Municipal Tourism Office assured that the government will continue to support its local artists and enliven the culture and the arts. She added that the local government eyes to tap the municipality’s potential for creative tourism which involves local artists and tourists in creating a tourism product, “Pwede [tayong magkaroon ng] mga painting classes…arts and workshops and seminars [kung saan] pwedeng magpinta [ang mga turista]. Tuturuan po [sila] ng mga resource speaker na manggagaling po sa [Kuris] at ‘yung kanilang mga output ay kanilang iuuwi at kanilang babayaran.”
Before the opening of the exhibit, artists of Kuris and the Gintong Tamaraw Artists Association with Miranda Jr. conducted an on-the-spot painting workshop for more than 50 young artists in the municipality. The training covered a lecture about the history and influences of Philippine Paintings as part of the Kuris’ advocacy to inspire aspiring artists.
Students, tourists, and locals joined in the opening of Kuris. The exhibit is open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, December 11 to 29, 2023 at Danglayan: Center for Culture & Arts, Airport Road, Brgy. San Roque, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. For queries on prices of art pieces, you may also visit the Kuris Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kurisgallery. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
