MODERN EUPHORIA. "Rasasvada" (oil on wood) by John Andrew Bibal (2016) forms part of "Juxtaphoria," an exhibit of mixed media artworks by Circulo de Arte at the Fr Francisco Demetrio SJ Gallery of Museo de Oro. Photo by JA Bibal.
Words by Stephen J Pedroza
An amalgamation of juxtaposition and euphoria, Xavier University’s Circulo de Arte bequeathed another meaning to happiness and creativity in their newest exhibit at the Fr Francisco Demetrio Gallery of Museo de Oro.
“Juxtaphoria,” an exhibit of 56 mixed media artworks, was the product of the artists’ expression of euphoria. “Art for us is happiness; it makes us happy when we are in the creative zone,” shared John Andrew Bibal, one of the artists. “It is another form of therapy, an escape from all the negativity that surrounds us,” he added.
The exhibit opened on Feb 19 and will run until March 18.
“[Juxtaphoria] is different from Circulo's past exhibits because we tried to mix different art styles. We did not limit to just painting. As much as possible we wanted to explore different media,” Bibal explained.
The art organization observed that “people are getting bored with traditional painting” so this exhibit attempted to put together digital and traditional means of art.
“We always wanted to prove that freehand traditional art is still better than digital or Photoshop art. But mixing different styles and applying different techniques make it all better,” Bibal added.
Flourishing art scene
Twenty-five artists, present and alumni members of Circulo de Arte, participated in this exhibit that forms part of the eighth installment of Panaghugpong: Xavier Arts festival in celebration of the National Arts Month.
Renowned Kagay-anon artist Nonoy Estarte, the founder of Circulo de Arte, expressed his high regards to the group of young artists for continuing the raison d'être of the organization and contributing to the flourishing modern art scene of the city.
Bibal said that to sustain this escalating inclination towards modern arts in Cagayan de Oro City, arts organizations, like Ciculo, need financial, institutional and technical support.
“We want to collaborate with other organizations that are also inclined with crafts or arts ... but we lack financial support,” he said, adding that they are thankful to Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) for their support.
GALLERY. The "Juxtaphoria" exhibit opened on Feb 19 and will run until March 18. Photo by JA Bibal.
Art shows for a cause
Circulo has been given opportunities to paint murals at malls and other areas across the city.
Besides planning to conduct free art workshops for street children, the organization will also be collaborating with writers and poets in the city for “Epeolatry,” a literary-focused art show.
“We could use their stories and poems as sources of inspiration for our paintings,” Bibal said. “We also plan to do an art show to raise mental health awareness, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the [House of Hope Foundation in Sitio Palalan in Barangay Lumbia].”