New at ILOMOCA’s Hulot Gallery : Songs from the Sea by Nune Alvarado

There’s a new collection on display at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) and it echoes the artist’s attempt at reclaiming humility – by recognizing how space is shared not only within society nor only among humanity, but with everything that surrounds us.

Recounting how he had badly stubbed his toe on a rock, shattering the nail and causing it to bleed, artist Nunelucio Alvarado instead reacted with what he knew best  - by putting brush to paint and giving the stone color. 

"Nawala ang depression ko dito (My depression went away with this,)" he recalls while contemplating one of his works — not a large canvas, but a pebble, small enough to turn in the hand and enclose in a fist. 

It was a stone that started Alvarado's affair with the so-called small things that make up his latest exhibition “Songs from the Sea” at ILOMOCA’s Hulot Gallery. The display not only reflects but builds upon the notion that art is not only restorative, but radical in itself.  

And it takes inspiration from the everyday stories of home and the most seemingly mundane objects - rocks, sticks, paper, and plastic. 

“Nune”, as his friends fondly call him, hails from Fabrica, Sagay, Negros Occidental andl  is known for his exceptional work as a social realist. 

A founding member of the Black Artists in Asia—one of the most prominent collectives in the region— he is popular for his large-scale depictions of difficulty and despondency in the cane fields of Negros. 

From the Fields to the Sea

But his latest series of paintings and objects dubbed as "Stories of Restoration, Songs from the Sea" is composed of works that appear to be a far cry from the jarring depictions of life in the cane fields and mills for which Alvarado has been known. Instead, the artist takes inspiration from the community he helped create, giving back through art what he himself has gained after over three decades of practice. 

"Inaawitan ako ng dagat (I am serenaded by the sea)" he says of the peace he has found in Sagay, Negros Occidental.  A peace has paved the way for a new kind of prosperity - one that feeds back into his community to enrich the lives of its members through art. 

While these works have won him awards and recognition, they have also drawn critical attention to the plight of the sacada, as well as other marginalized members of society. Alvarado now lives in Sagay City, where he runs Kape Albarako, a café and art space that is integral to the city's creative community. 

An Arts and Culture Jewel in Asia's 'Best Township' 

ILOMOCA is Megaworld's first-ever museum located at Iloilo Business Park, the company's bustling 73-hectare township development in Western Visayas which was recently feted as the Country Winner for 'Best Township Development in Asia' at the 2018 Asia Property Awards held in Bangkok, Thailand.   

"Tonight marks another milestone for us at Megaworld Foundation as we celebrate the first year since we ventured into the intricate world of museum management, and already we are closing the year with yet another highlight exhibit.” says Tefel Pesigan-Valentino, Vice President and Head of Marketing and Business Development and, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. 

“Nune Alvarado's 'Songs from the Sea' is a moving masterpiece that showcases the beauty of Filipino culture even in mundane everyday experiences. This is only the beginning and we are committed to upholding the undeniable talent of local creative minds and the promotion and preservation of art in the entire region.," 

The facility proudly embraces the distinction as the first art institution in Visayas and Mindanao exclusively dedicated to showcasing the works of mostly Filipino and llonggo artists within the realm of modern and contemporary art. As a major component in the development of IBP, ILOMOCA serves as a platform for Megaworld in reinforcing its thrust to preserve and promote the llonggo brand of artistry, culture, and creativity. 

Songs from the Sea runs at the Hulot Gallery on the ground floor of ILOMOCA from November 11 up to December 10, 2018. To know more about Nune Alvarado's exhibit, visit ILOMOCA on Facebook or call (033) 320-9903 and (033) 328 1028.