After receiving backlash for the promotional photo she used for her upcoming art exhibit, Solenn Heussaff has deleted the controversial photo and apologized.
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https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/04/solenn-heussaff-no-poverty-porn-in-upcoming-art-exhibit/
"I’ve been thinking a lot about the comments you guys left on the photo I posted. I know it sparked some debate and there were both good and bad takes on it. While I appreciate the encouragement some shared, I also want to apologize to those I have hurt," Solenn wrote.
Solenn has reiterated that all she wanted was to shoot it on a "typical street," which people usually pass by every day.
"Streets full of life, since all my paintings are about the people we see," she said. "Not the rich or the poor but people for who they are. Humanity."
Solenn said the choice of painting was to show the environmental side, as well as, the abundance and balance of what life was, but also growth and hope.
"Though yes, art is subjective, and your thoughts made me more sensitive to different perspectives on my choice of setting (it wasn't a terrible marketing team, it was me, no one else to blame) and this really was a learning experience for me," she said.
The multi-media star pointed out that it wasn't her intention to hurt or offend anyone but rather just her hope that she could lend her voice and her art to show the "reality" of Filipinos.
"This is the heart and inspiration of all my paintings, both old and new. I did not want to romanticize the poverty of the everyday Pinoy or the resiliency that we naturally have. I really hoped to honor our people by being truthful about the kind of life a lot of Filipinos live today and to show that Filipinos deserve better," she added.
Solenn then capped off her post by thanking the netizens for letting the said experience as an "eye-opener" for her. "And to those that I have offended, I am sorry."
Celebrities like Georgina Wilson, Raymond Gutierrez, Isabelle Daza, Ina Feleo, Pat Dy, Anne Curtis, Liz Uy, and Heart Evangelista, among others, were quick to show their support to Solenn.
In fact, Angel Locsin even noted that she's looking forward to seeing more of her work.
"Personally, I love the honesty in your art. Ang daming emotions na mararamdaman mo just by looking at your painting. Mapapa-reality check ka. I know you have good intentions. You were one of the very first to help the people sa start ng pandemic," she commented.