What constitutes a family in today’s times? Over the last generation or so, the nuclear unit of the family – father, mother, and their children – has both altered and remained the same, in concept and in composition.
The notion of family has arguably changed beginning in the late 20th century as people in many parts of the world live in unprecedented freedom – in mobility, work, education, lifestyle, ideas and, not least, technological and information access.
Particularly for third-world countries such as the Philippines, the makeup of the core family unit has become vulnerable to these factors, including the state-sponsored valorization of the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) — the bagong bayani and savior of the economy.
“Bagahe” is an airline chair/suitcase installation of Brandon Braza which focuses on his father’s estrangement of him and non-acknowledgement of his gender identity
As the University of the Philippines Population Institute has declared: “The Filipino family is in transition.”
The exhibit “Modern Negrense Family” aims to explore the nuances of the Filipino family’s “transitions” by focusing on the specificities of the southern province of Negros Occidental, the sixth most populous in the country.
To do this, the exhibit has tapped seventeen local artists — Rafael Paderna, Rodney Martinez, Perry Argel, Angela Silva, Roedil Geraldo, Revo Yanson, Neil Benavente, Darel Javier, Frelan Gonzaga, Moreen Austria, Olive Gloria, Michael John Pama, Guenivere Decena, Erika Mayo, Brandon Braza, Vincent Sarnate, Ann Gaurana — to respond to the question: What is the modern Negrense family?
“Look in the Mirror and Say I Love You” painting by Guenivere Decena uses the concepts of reflecting and mirroring in the service of her commentary on what, to her, is a modern Negrense family
With ages ranging from 20s to 80s, this diverse group of artists represents three generations of Negrense family life, holding up lenses of various strengths and transparencies from which to look critically at the state of families in their communities, without sparing their own.
“Into The Ring of Fire” by Neil Benavente shows in a humorous and relatable way the pervasiveness and power of technology and communications in dictating the behavior of modern Negrense family members
The resulting collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, mixed media works, and installations present affecting portraits of contemporary local family life, which point to sociological, psychological, and politico-economic issues that need unpacking and further understanding. Abandonment, separation, economic hardship, and pervasiveness of technology are some of the themes that overlap throughout the exhibition.
Modern Negrense Family is not designed to be comprehensive and definitive in its representation, nor is it meant to be an occasion for artists, as well as viewers, to pass judgment on one another. This exhibition hopes to give voice to a diversity and plurality of perspectives and to engender a conversation that can be beneficial for all.
“The Lovers” painting by the youngest participating artist, 22-year-old Ann Gaurana, points to her belief that a family does not require having children