CONTEMPORARY ART. Ega Carreon, a Davao-born international artist leads the first art exhibit in the Island Garden City on Samal (IGACOS) in Davao del Norte province featuring contemporary art which runs until Oct. 21, 2022. Carreon has exhibited his works in Berlin, Barcelona, Washington, New Jersey, New York City, and the Vermont Studio Center. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)
DAVAO CITY – An internationally-renowned painter is currently holding the first art exhibit in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) in Davao del Norte province featuring contemporary art.
Ega Carreon, a Davao City-born artist, is holding the exhibit at the Pinta IX [Nueve] art gallery in Barangay Tambo, IGACOS that also features local artists Juliet Samante, Ryan Kingjim Uy, and Jasmine Cabilla.
The exhibit will run until Oct. 21.
“This exhibit portrays compassion and being compassionate to human life. Pinta Nueve showcases contemporary art, but it also focuses on non-representational art,” Carreon told the Philippine News Agency.
“Others think that painting is only decorative. Here in Pinta Nueve, we will see to it that your wall has a story to tell,” he said.
Carreon has exhibited his works in Berlin, Germany; Barcelona, Spain; and Washington, New Jersey, New York City, and the Vermont Studio Center in the US; and has garnered various awards along the way.
His awards include - Alumni Merit Award for Artist Residency in Vermont Studio Center, Vermont USA in 2016; finalist in Can Serrat International Artist Residency, El Bruc, Barcelona, Spain (2014); 1st place in Print with entry "Breath" organized by The Hudson Artists of New Jersey Annual Painting Competition/Exhibition, in USA (2007); third place in a worldwide competition in Japan (2003); finalist in Canda Dracoblu's The Dreamer & The Dreamed" (2022); and winner of the Asian Freeman Painting Competition in Vermont Studio Center, USA (2000).
The multi-awarded Filipino painter said it is a big advantage for artists to be given a chance to showcase their works in an art gallery.
Thus, he is pushing for the creation of the Davao Art Council to further showcase and promote the works of local artists.
He said an art council is important as most of the local government units (LGU) are creating their own landmarks.
“A landmark is a monumental sculpture, they made it out of concrete and just paint it. It is clear that the LGUs don’t understand why they have to spend money on landmarks. It should be the responsibility of the art council,” said Carreon.
“We have lobbied for its creation but it did not prosper. However, I am looking forward to realizing its creation so artists would have a proper venue for their works of art,” he said.
For Uy, who at 21 is the youngest artist featured in Pinta IX, the exhibit is a big break for him, as it is his first-ever exhibit under the supervision of his teacher – Carreon.
In the gallery, he has a total of 22 paintings that he completed in just two to three months.
“This exhibit would really make me a legitimate artist. When I was not yet handled by Sir Ega, I only paint and earn commissions. I did not think that my work can be worth hundreds of thousands,” said Uy, who is now hoping that more exhibits will be undertaken by their group.
The young artist said he draws inspiration from his three-year-old daughter, and the income from his artworks has supported his family financially.
“Painting is seasonal, sometimes you can’t sleep because there are still projects to be done but it is something that I am happy about. I am happy with the talent God has given me,” said Uy. (PNA)
