The Philippines’ first and only organization of illustrators for Children, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), will open its annual exhibit titled “At Home” on Thursday, April 13, at Parola: UP Fine Arts Gallery in Quezon City. The exhibit opening will be followed by a public reception on Saturday, April 15.
Featuring 60 house-shaped art pieces in various digital and traditional media, the exhibit presents a behind-the-scenes look at the home life of Ang INK members or āInkiesā. The collection also showcases various interpretations of what āhomeā means to Inkies or what āhomeā could be like.
āIt is where the heart is, but sometimes, also where the āasarā is,ā say the Inkies. āLife at home is complex and nuanced. More than shelter, the home is witness to myriad activities, experiences, and memories.ā Among the works are Viel Vidalās āSafe Safe Space Spaceā, which spotlights a figure who appears to be dreaming while reclining comfortably with closed eyes. Mickey Velardeās āShelterā depicts several dogs of various breeds at play indoors. āClingyā by May Tobias-Papa zooms in on a child enfolded by kisses of his parents.
Jomike Tejidoās āThe Makerās Spaceā is a non-representational mixed media piece while Angela Taguiangās āYou Feel Like Home” is a conceptual portraiture piece rendered in an analogous palette. āFurever Homeā by Tinay Sison features a multi-panel narrative highlighting vignettes from the life of a cheerful pet owner.
Kim Santiagoās āSalubong” is a vibrantly coloured illustration that presents frisky pets welcoming their owner who has just come home. āBatkivshinaā by Benedict Reyna shows a solitary figure in a steampunk-esque sleeping area who seems to be communing with spirits, while Rex Aguilarās āGrowing Homeā is a multimedia collage with delicately cut-out trees.
Ian Reverenteās āUwian Naā, a playful digital art depicting comic book references to a āBaston of Destinyā, āBlazing Tsinelasā and āStriking Walis Tamboā. Liz Ranolaās bold black, white and red rendering of āHome is Anywhere the Fam isā shows a cheerful family with pets, while Patricia Ramosā āAfter School Specialā focuses on a student who has just come home sharing a snack with her dog.
āAfter being away, a taste of home is delicious and a glimpse of home can be very precious,ā they add. āWe can welcome people into our home for some company or choose to shut the door if some solitude is in order. We can be ourselves, wear our rattiest clothes, make a mess, and just be āat homeā.ā
Mini Art Fair and Panel Discussions
Held in conjunction with the exhibit will be a series of panel discussions and a mini art fair offering books, artworks and craftproducts produced by Inkies.
The art fair also takes place on Saturday, April 15 at 12PM together with a panel discussion 1 to 3PM on āWhat makes a good picture book?ā Moderated by Zeus Bascon, the discussion features publisher Frances Ng, librarian and storyteller Zarah Gagatiga; Adman, childrenās book author and comics creator Russell Molina, and illustrator Fran Alvarez.
The panel discussion on āThe Artist as Storyteller: How Illustrations Shape Storiesā is set for 12NN on Friday, April 18. Moderated by Liza Flores and Rommel Joson, the discussion features āAng Batang Papetā illustrator Angela Taguiang, āTintinās Birthday Partyā illustrator Marcus Nada, āTapak! Tapon! Tama!ā illustrator CJ Reynaldo, and āAng Unang Engkantadaā illustrator Jap Mikel.
āElsewhere: Philippine Childrenās Illustration within the Global Landscapeā, a panel discussion moderated by Isa Nazareno, will be held on Saturday, April 29. The discussion features writer and reading advocate, Xi Zuq; writer and childrenās storybook development specialist, Al Santos; and illustrator Bianca Lesaca.