By Devi De Veyra

The country’s art scene is busy as ever with back-to-back exhibition openings. But the  group exhibition titled “Home is Where the Hurt is” is in a league of its own among shows that boast of promising or established artists.

Organized by Laya Digital Curators (or LDC for short, a social enterprise founded by community developers Rosa Javier, Angela Sabanal and artist Paul Mondok ), the show brings together known or established artists and art photographers (among them, At Maculangan, Jake Verzosa, Pow Martinez and Idan Cruz) and inmates of Manila City Jail who will exhibit their own paintings and drawings.

The inmates are registered in a unique art program initiated by LDC, with the goal of “aiding with the rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and to help provide them with alternative livelihood through art,” according to Mondok. “LDC has been operating since Sept. 2022,” Javier adds, “ and we employ sound therapy as a tool to enrich the creative experience of our artist inmates. This approach helps with stress reduction, relaxation, enhanced participation and focus, as well as mindfulness and presence.  The benefits include improved learning, reduced anxiety and diminished performance pressure.” 

The experience is uplifting for Mondok as well, saying that he feels “positive with the eagerness displayed by our students during sessions.” “They’ve become more open and possess a bit more self-confidence, which shows when they talk about themselves, their ideas or drawings.” 

“Home is Where the Heart is” runs up to June 3o at Ninuno Gallery (45 E. Abada St., Loyola Heights, Katipunan, QC), with part of the proceeds funding the materials and other costs to continue with the program. “We hope to find partnership and support from organizations, groups and like minded people who find it meaningful and worthwhile to help marginalized individuals,” Mondok says. 

Those who wish to help can also purchase prints and various merchandise (postcards, mugs, tote bags, pouch with notebooks, etc.) which feature the works of Manila City Jail’s inmates, now available at West Gallery (48 West Avenue, QC) and the Ayala Museum (Greenbelt Park, Makati Avenue).