Rediscovering Pilipino culture through artwork

Wednesday, October 23, 1996

ART:

Kerckhoff showcases ‘Revolutioneyes’ to shed light on unknown
heritageBy Amanda Miller

Daily Bruin Contributor

Artist Eliseo Art Silva knows the significance and depth of
Pilipino culture. But he worries that he is one of the few who
does.

"Some say we are a people without history, a people without
culture. That is changing. We are rediscovering and developing our
culture." The search for ethnic identity is a continual process.
And the Philippines have historically been inundated with foreign
influences and cultures, and establishing a firm sense of identity
can be difficult.

Yet several Pilipino artists have accepted this challenge and
formed "Revolutioneyes," a collection of artwork sponsored by
Samahang Pilipino as a part of Pilipino History Month.

The exhibit, now on display at Kerckhoff Art Gallery, includes
work by Eliseo Art Silva and also UCLA alumni Rico Reyes, Cirilo
Domine and Wendall Pascual. From vibrant oil paintings to black and
white photographs, the media represented and styles used are
diverse.

Within the theme of "Revolution," each artist finds a unique and
personal significance. Silva designed and painted an immense wall
mural on Beverly Boulevard, a miniature of which hangs on
Kerckhoff’s wall. Many different Pilipino faces adorn the brightly
colored mural, showing the diversity within the community. Silva
paints the community he lives in because he sees the artist as a
"barometer of society."

"I think art is a good reflection of where the community is ,"
Silva says, "whether the community is matured or embryonic in its
sense of identity and state of nationhood."

Reyes and Domine use the photography to reveal hidden histories
of the Pilipino people, particularly those who immigrated in the
1930s and ’40s to work in the United States. In their photographs,
which almost look like old-fashioned daguerreotypes, Reyes and
Domine give particular attention to the writings of Pilipino writer
Carlos Bulosan, who chronicled the lives of such Pilipino
workers.

"We are reinvestigating his stories, injecting them with our own
perspective. We read them, process them and then think about what
if?"

By "What if?" Domine means that although Bulosan wrote in the
early part of this century, much can be taken from his writings
that apply to the social issues of today, particularly the gay
rights movement. He refers to a photo of a man with his arm draped
around the shoulders of a fellow employee and suggests that perhaps
they were more than just co-workers.

"A lot is lost in history books. I am looking within myself to
redefine my own identity, to explore what it means to be Pilipino,
and to discover what it means to be a Pilipino living in Los
Angeles," Domine says. "The Pilipino art movement is a revolution
or renaissance during which unity is starting to build, creating a
really exciting momentum for growth and change."

Silva adds, "Pilipino artists tend to gauge themselves not
against their Asian brothers and sisters, but against Western
societies." Silva feels this contributes to a sort of "black sheep
syndrome," resulting in a potential feeling of displacement and
alienation. "We need to look at ourselves in a new way," he
says.

Instead of trying to base an identity on English and American
art, Silva emphasizes that it is essential for Pilipino artists to
look beyond the superficial and embrace Pilipino history and
culture. "You need to work subconsciously from the gut level to
truly find your identity," he says.

The result is not just one style of art, but paintings and
photos that show the individuality of their creators. From simple
photos of stairs or houses to brightly hued cartoons,
"Revolutioneyes" captures viewers’ attention. Samahang hopes that
it will also make them more aware of Pilipino issues, both in the
past and in the present.

Jonathan Ramos, historian for Samahang and coordinator of
Pilipino History Month, compared the Pilipino revolution that
occurred 100 years ago against Spain to the fight that continues
today. Even in today’s modern society, many Pilipinos feel that
they are still fighting for the same basic freedoms.

However, "This is going to be a different kind of revolution,"
he says. "We are going to revolutionize not only our concept of
revolution, but also the way we look at ourselves and the images
and stereotypes that are portrayed by the media about
Pilipinos."

ART: "Revolutioneyes" will remain in Kerckhoff Art Gallery
through the end of October.

Eliseo Art Silva’s "Billions and Billions Served Worldwide,"
mixed media on panel.