Katawhan: Bayluhanay 2024 participating artists from Luzon and Visayas.
“The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Metro-Iloilo’s art scene was abuzz when Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) presented Katawhan: Bayluhanay 2024. It was an exhibition on “the compelling exploration of humanity through the lenses of art, language, and cultural exchange.”
Katawhan: Bayluhanay 2024 was the second exhibition of the year of Hulot Gallery of ILOMOCA. “It showcased humanity with a process of integration, underscoring the significance of connection and collaboration, said Museum Director Maricel Montero.
Initiated by Alfredo Esquillo of Eskinita Art Farm and Melvin Guirhem of Puluy-an Art Gallery (who were also the curators of the exhibition), the exhibition was a product of an exchange program, which aims to strengthen the ties between the art communities of Luzon and Panay to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Katawhan is “humanity” in Hiligaynon.” In Tagalog, it is an inflection of kataohan meaning “being,” and also relates to katawan meaning “body.” The body as the vessel from which being is possible, by way of the subjective self-relating to the objective world. This semantic web consists of guiding concepts that the artists in this show reflect upon. This collection of works then, profoundly articulates the many layers of the human condition – which circumnavigates art as its celebration, and at the core: a pensive gratification.
Mirroring the essence of Bayluhanay, a collective statement emerges where cultural differences are seen as avenues for respect, unification, and solidarity. As Bayluhanay means exchange, then this exhibit accentuates as it also incorporates identities due to the crossing of borders.
During the public opening, guests were able to witness a mural painting demonstration by a number of participating artists at ILOMOCA’s lobby to be followed by an Art Talk at Hulot Gallery.
The participating artists were Alfredo Esquillo (Batangas), Pamela Maceda (Batangas), Anthony Victoria (Laguna), Jack De Castro (Bulacan), Kevin Auldren Vila (Pangasinan), Genavee Lazaro (La Union), Khervin John Gallandez (Ilocos Norte), Bry Barrios (Manila), Rai Cruz (Manila) and Ioannis Sicuya (Manila) of Eskinita Art Farm, and Melvin Guirhem (Iloilo), Brando Banga (Iloilo), John Paul Castillo (Iloilo), Edmar Colmo (Iloilo), Khyle Columna (Iloilo), Kyle Francis Dile (Iloilo), Job Hablo (Iloilo), Renwil Jake (Iloilo), Jecko Magallon (Iloilo), Jan Michael Tauro (Iloilo), Kimpoy Dela Cruz (Roxas) and Rick Sapio (Guimaras) of Puluy-an Art Gallery.
Katawhan: Bayluhanay 2024 will run until September 8, 2024.
Karmela Jesena, GM of Festive Walk Mall; Jogie Viceo, Township Director; Georgia Flores, Marketing Officer of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo; and Maricel Montero, Museum Director
Yours truly.
About ILOMOCA
Located at Casa de Emperador, Festive Walk Parade, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM. Tickets cost Php 150 for regular, Php 120 for Senior Citizen and PWD, and Php 100 for students. For inquiries and more information, contact ILOMOCA on Facebook (@ILOMOCA) and Instagram (@itsilomoca), or through email at iloilomuseumofcontemporaryart@gmail.com.
Nat Lim, GM of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, and Iloilo City number one Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna
UPV Professors Elaine Monserate, Rei Hontanar and Julie Prescott
Bloggers Ted Aldwin Ong and Zach Golez