The revelatory space of Filipina femininity
(The riveting artworks of Flor Baradi, Connie Cabalar, and Tessa Diamse depicted the continuous demolition of genderized identities and ongoing lessons in women’s rights. Photo taken by Paola Navarette)
STRONG graphic lines and enthralling silhouettes harness the restless and daring Filipina persona, constantly divided by demands, but still driven with utmost strength.
“Lahi ni Haliya,” organized by Sining Kamalig, explored the norms and roles governing women through the crafts of nine female artists, with hopes to transform stereotypes and influence cultural attitudes.
Haliya is a goddess of moonlight worshipped by women from pre-colonial Bicol. As a protector and a warrior deity, she represents the power of women.
Flor Baradi employed techniques in sketching and photo transfers to create a stark contrast of black and white, a visual language that echoed the freedom of women from domestic rape and violence.
(Flor Baradi’s bold pieces titled “Silenced Screams” addressed the persistent existence of victim blaming. Photo taken by Paola Navarette)
“It is not as colorful as the rest. It is a serious subject so I wanted it to be quiet. Domestic rape is usually hidden and they don’t want the stigma or the shame to the family so I wanted to keep it simple,” she shared in an exclusive interview with the Dapitan Post.
Baradi explained that her realistic depiction of sexual violence aims to let the survivors know that she stands with them.
“The crouching figure is about rape. She was hankered down, she was holding her clothes because she was violated. I wanted to make it not as graphic as possible. I just chose a child’s dress and lifted it up a bit from the corner to signify that the innocence is gone,” she said.
As an advocate of feminism, Baradi shared that she often acknowledged the pensive strength of women.
“Women’s issues are always close to my heart. I feel a lot for women because she must balance things every time. She has to balance her career, and in the other side, she has to keep the children well-fed and to lift them up spiritually and physically,” Baradi shared.
Inka Madera said all genders should have equal rights and opportunities.
(Inka Madera with her abstract pieces titled “Not me I” and “Not me II.” Photo grabbed from the official Facebook page of Sining Kamalig)
“We all have a role and responsibility to play and to do. My work for Haliya reflects on that, it depicts the struggle between genders – pointing fingers to each other,” she said in an online interview with the Dapitan Post.
Madera claimed that men and women should learn to recognize each other’s capabilities.
“I believe in equality and in coexistence. We are all facing these problems because we overlooked the fact that we should exist for one another, both men and women,” Madera said.
From her strikingly subversive self-portraits, Tessa Diamse showed the instances when women were given active roles in the constructed path of their own lives.
(“Reel Wall I” and “Reel Wall II” by Tessa Diamse symbolized the jolting ability of women to thrive in the society. Photo taken by Paola Navarette)
“Typically, that is me, because I do my work and mind my own business. Kung bibigyan mo ng opportunity ang babae, malakas e. For a strong woman, kailangan bigyan mo rin siya ng time to hibernate. Kailangan din niya ng pahinga. Not all the work is for her,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Dapitan Post.
Diamse also mentioned that the human figures reveal an intimate peek into a woman’s physical and emotional maturity.
“Ang babae kasi kapag ganyan na ang porma ng katawan, it means that you are matured and well experienced. At hindi lahat ng kasiyahan, para sa akin, ay nakukuha sa maraming kulay," she said.
"Kadalasan ang pagiging masaya ay sa mga panahon na nag-iisa ka. Happiness in solitude, ika nga. Nakakukuha ng kapayapaan kahit sa gitna ng kalungkutan ang isang mabuti at matapang na mortal,” she added.
The superb symphony of colors and textures behind Connie Cabalar’s acrylic paintings contemplated on the various facets of the feminine through the centuries.
(“Gladys” and “Glynnis” by Connie Cabalar reflected the struggle of women against inequality. Photo taken by Paola Navarette.)
The solidity and endurance of women are the main touchstones in her works which she named “Gladys” and “Glynnis.”
“Gladys is the story of the struggle of a woman against unequal financial opportunities. I clothed her with a halo of roses and a fine dress which I believe makes her a simple woman who can have the same opportunities as everyone else,” Cabalar told the Dapitan Post in an online interview.
“Glynnis garbs herself with her own armor and becomes a storm. She is a woman of freedom and strength,” she added.
With her pieces, Connie Cabalar hopes to compel women to continue their brave struggle against inequality.
“I hope that the spectators would see that women are individuals who are strong, capable, and passionate. They may have different physiques but they have the same souls,” she said.
The Lahi ni Haliya exhibit was unveiled to the public last September 23 and would run until October 21, 2017 at Sining Kamalig, Cubao, Quezon City.
