Fil-Am artist celebrates Filipino culture in colors in NYC
Published Nov 11, 2019 07:40 am
By Roy Mabasa
A Filipino-American artist who grew up in Mindanao successfully launched her first solo exhibit showcasing the vibrant and bold characteristics of her home province at the Lobby Gallery of the Philippine Center in the heart of New York City.
Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal (second from left) and the artist, Marie Fe Conde-Acera (second from right) led the ribbon cutting ceremony, together Vice Consul Tanya Faye O. Ramiro (leftmost), the artist’s husband (rightmost) at the opening of “East-West Fusion: A Celebration of Filipino Culture in Colors” art exhibit on 28 October 2019. (Philippine Center Management photo via DFA/ MANILA BULLETIN).
Self-taught artist Marie Fe Conde-Acera led the opening of her exhibit entitled “East-West Fusion: A Celebration of Filipino Culture in Colors” on October 28, 2019, featuring 25 artworks ranging from sayaw mindanao, buwak, sarimanok, bayho, and colors of diaspora.
Conde-Acera’s use of various and distinct colors manifests the rich cultural heritage of Butuan City and Marawi City where she spent her growing up years.
According to a brief bio provided by the Philippine Consulate in New York, Conde-Acera started painting as a hobby until her mother noticed her artistic skill at an early age when she showed an interest in cartooning and designing greeting cards.
Her creative side, however, had to take the back seat when she pursued her bachelor’s degree and eventually worked as a social worker and educator. Her passion for arts was rekindled after she and her husband moved to New York City.
In her remarks at the opening, Conde-Acera spoke proudly about Mindanao’s cultural and artistic legacy, which was evident in her paintings of the sarimanok, a mythical bird that has figured in a number of legends of Mindanao, and the use of okir, an art motif distinctive for its use of geometric and flowing designs.
For her part, Vice Consul Tanya Faye Ramiro congratulated the Filipino-American artist for renewing her passion and for bringing to the fore the rich and distinctive culture of Mindanao through the exhibit.
The art exhibit lasted until last week, November 8, 2019.
Among those who graced her debut at the Philippine Center were members of her family, friends, including those from her alma mater, Mindanao State University.
Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal (second from left) and the artist, Marie Fe Conde-Acera (second from right) led the ribbon cutting ceremony, together Vice Consul Tanya Faye O. Ramiro (leftmost), the artist’s husband (rightmost) at the opening of “East-West Fusion: A Celebration of Filipino Culture in Colors” art exhibit on 28 October 2019. (Philippine Center Management photo via DFA/ MANILA BULLETIN).
Self-taught artist Marie Fe Conde-Acera led the opening of her exhibit entitled “East-West Fusion: A Celebration of Filipino Culture in Colors” on October 28, 2019, featuring 25 artworks ranging from sayaw mindanao, buwak, sarimanok, bayho, and colors of diaspora.
Conde-Acera’s use of various and distinct colors manifests the rich cultural heritage of Butuan City and Marawi City where she spent her growing up years.
According to a brief bio provided by the Philippine Consulate in New York, Conde-Acera started painting as a hobby until her mother noticed her artistic skill at an early age when she showed an interest in cartooning and designing greeting cards.
Her creative side, however, had to take the back seat when she pursued her bachelor’s degree and eventually worked as a social worker and educator. Her passion for arts was rekindled after she and her husband moved to New York City.
In her remarks at the opening, Conde-Acera spoke proudly about Mindanao’s cultural and artistic legacy, which was evident in her paintings of the sarimanok, a mythical bird that has figured in a number of legends of Mindanao, and the use of okir, an art motif distinctive for its use of geometric and flowing designs.
For her part, Vice Consul Tanya Faye Ramiro congratulated the Filipino-American artist for renewing her passion and for bringing to the fore the rich and distinctive culture of Mindanao through the exhibit.
The art exhibit lasted until last week, November 8, 2019.
Among those who graced her debut at the Philippine Center were members of her family, friends, including those from her alma mater, Mindanao State University.