16 September 2022, The Hague – The art works of four remarkable Filipino painters received rave reviews at an exhibition hosted by the Philippine Embassy in The Hague.
The exhibit, dubbed “Kalayaan in Full Color: An Art Exhibition featuring Filipino Artists in The Netherlands,” featured the diverse and evocative styles of Ms. Maricel “Chelony” Mercado-Lelieveld, Mr. Victor “Torbik” Cantal, Ms. Jesamine “JV” Totañes-Wiersema, and Ms. Marites van Vianen.
The event, which opened on 16 September at the Kalayaan Hall, is the Embassy’s first-ever art exhibit in its newly renovated chancery. The exhibit will run until September 30.
In his opening remarks at the opening night, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said that, “Art bridges cultures, and transcends them, for it speaks in universal terms, appealing to common human feelings and experiences. This exhibit will contribute to our collaborative efforts to further strengthen the connection between the Philippines and the Netherlands and the warm relations between our two peoples.”
With interests in both ‘realism’ and ‘pop art,’ Ms. Mercado-Lelieveld showcased her oil paintings “Mambabatok” (with Filipino tattoo artist Whang-Od as the subject), “Kalachuchi Queen” (a self-portrait), “Magtutuyo” (a daily scene in Marinduque), and “Prutas ng Kape” (coffee beans in Batangas). Film Director Antonio “Tony” Reyes commended via videotaped greetings Ms Mercado-Lelieveld, who originally hails from Batangas, on her accomplishment, as well as the Embassy’s “creative team for their continuing support to the Filipino artists in the Netherlands.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Cantal offered his eye-catching oil paintings and drawings that depict scenes in Filipino history and culture, particularly “Tales of the Battles,” which he described as a “continuation of the artistic tradition immortalizing the hero Lapu-Lapu.” His other works include “Manila Nostalgia,” “Igorot,” “Rice Eaters,” and “Larawang Kupas,” a graphite portrait of the Philippine map. In his video remarks, Cebu-based Prof. Adonis Dorado highlighted Mr. Cantal’s artworks as centered on patriotism and love of country. “What I appreciate about Victor’s work is the universal quality of his visual styles…, done with his artistic twist and reaffirming the longing of a Filipino artist living on foreign soil.”
Ms Totañes-Wiersema’s impressionist style brought hues and light to the halls with her paintings “Playground,” “Somewhere in Edsa,” “Mamang Sorbetero,” and “The Embassy,” her take on the façade of the chancery building. “I paint what I see and then give some space to it to enable people to fill it in with their own experiences. I believe art is not just about the person who makes it, but also the person who looks at it,” she said.
Ms Marites van Vianen, a Filipina artist based in Paris and married to a Dutch man, featured her paintings “Mangyan,” “Sandugo,” “Kalap,” “Salakot” and “Magsasalakot,” which are renditions of memories of her Mindoro hometown. Ms. Jennifer Tan, a friend of Ms. van Vianen, said that the latter’s accomplishments “bring inspiration and encouragement to her and to other artists.”
“It is such a great honor for the artists to be hosted by the Embassy of the Philippines in such an important location as The Hague. I thank Ambassador Malaya for hosting such a remarkable project. To have that kind of talent recognized around the world shows the wide spectrum of talent that Filipinos have,” said Dr. Joanne Tawfilis, Founder/Director of the Art Miles Mural Project and Director of the Muramid Arts Cultural Center in California.
The art exhibit is open to the public from Monday to Thursday, 19-22 September, 2:30-5:30pm, and 26-30 September, Monday to Friday, 2:30-5:30pm at the Philippine Embassy, Laan Copes van Cattenburch 125, Den Haag.// END
