Artist on a Mission Kristine Soguilon unveils a soul-baring exhibit of faith and healing
Internationally acclaimed artist and Philippine Navy Goodwill Ambassador Kristine Soguilon recently concluded her solo exhibit, This Is Bethel, a personal showcase that transformed her struggles into a mission of hope and healing.
Held from Oct. 7 to 10 at The Groove in Araneta City, Cubao, the exhibit was a fundraising initiative for the Citizen’s Support Your Navy Foundation, supporting the mental health of troops and fishermen stationed at the West Philippine Sea.
“Each piece is a psalm, a prayer painted in the wilderness. Part of the proceeds will go to support our Navy Foundation,” Soguilon said. “This initiative will help our fishermen and troops stationed at the West Philippine Sea, specifically to support their mental health.”
She explained that the public often underestimates the toll such work takes.
“Sometimes we don’t understand what they’re going through. From the outside, it seems like, ‘It’s nothing, it’s just their job.’ But it’s not that simple,” she said. “They’re far from their families and loved ones. They face many fears and, at times, even question why they’re there. But we owe them everything.”
as ‘a psalm, a prayer painted in the wilderness’
“Their very lives are their investment,” she added. “And if that’s the case, if your life is what’s at stake, of course it affects your mind. It stays with you and can take a toll on your mental health. So we really have to help them in that aspect as well.”
Known in art circles as “Artist on a Mission,” Soguilon presented This Is Bethel as her most intimate body of work yet. The exhibit was a collection of handwritten letters, sketches, and paintings created during her recovery from depression and therapy.
“Bethel means ‘House of God’ in Hebrew,” she explained. “For me, it wasn’t a temple with golden altars, it was the white walls of a hospital room, the silence between sobs, and the moments when I finally saw grace.”
Soguilon said her creative process has evolved from self-expression to a form of service, and this was very much evident in her latest work.
“As much as possible, I don’t paint based on my mood or circumstances. I paint what God is speaking to me through my artworks. It’s not about me,” she stated. “When we use our God-given talents, it should go beyond ourselves. The purpose of our talents is to serve others, not to be self-serving.”
Asked what she hoped her exhibit conveyed to those facing similar struggles, she said, “I just hope they realize their life is not their own. It was given by God for a purpose. We can’t just say, ‘I’m done, I give up.’ I said those words before, too, but I learned that we shouldn’t.”
Following This Is Bethel, Soguilon opened another exhibit, Velvet and Vines, on Oct. 11 at Wine Story, EDSA Shangri-La, a lighter, more celebratory continuation of her journey, where she interpreted wines from around the world through color and texture.
