By Yuichi Desquitado

Far Eastern University - Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts (FEU-IARFA) proudly presents the kits and wits of the Tamaraw artists through an elaborate art exhibition entitled Multiformity arranged at the Art Lounge, The Podium, Mandaluyong City from December 19, 2023 to January 5.

It is an artist’s purpose to create something that would encapsulate the glaring gazes of people fixated upon an obra that is cathartic or mysterious. Meanwhile, it is an artist’s joy for their birthed creations to be displayed among the gallery of top-notch arts for their beauty, novelty, or eccentricity.

Creative minds create a wonderful space

Multiformity is an art exhibit jointly created by the students, alumni, faculty, and guests of FEU-IARFA in partnership with Fundacion Sansó.

Fundacion Sansó is a non-profit institution started by Juvenal Sansó’s friends and supporters. Sansó is a Spanish-born visual artist known for his surreal landscapes. 

Despite being born in Catalonia, Spain, the 94-year-old impressionist is a Filipino at heart as his family migrated into the Philippines five years after he was born and started El Arte Espanol, a wrought-iron business.

The Tamaraw exhibit displays beautiful artworks composed of different methods, techniques, and mediums.

Pieces such as beautiful realistic portraits and intricate mixed media murals to the quirky yarn art, creative circular painting, and techie 3D pen sculpture – with tons and tons of cats are shown in the gallery.

Tamaraw artists carefully concocted the art exhibit as an embrace, a love letter, to the ever-changing and fast-paced world inside and outside of art. Multiformity, intuitively by name, boasts of lots of things.

It showcases diversity, not only in the philosophies, principles, and subjects, but also in the method, medium, and movement of making such modern obras.

During the opening remark of Multiformity’s launch last December 19, FEU Professor Kempis Ang recalled what the exhibit means for them.

“Every brushstroke, every sculpted shape, and every captured moment on canvas stand as proof to our group's dedication toward the cause as we engage ourselves in artistic exhibitions,” Ang said.

Moreover, Multiformity is a letter of encouragement and commendation benefitting the talented yet financially challenged Fine Arts students to assist their studies as a portion of the proceeds will be used as a seed fund for the Fine Arts students, faculty, and alumni Student Fund.

Abstract ideas to real creations

Being featured in an art exhibit has always been a dream and an inspiration for Lyviel Soliman, a second-year student of Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Studio Arts. But being understood and helping others understand themselves are what pushed her to improve her craft and continue making more beautiful pieces.

“... but what inspires me the most to create art is the thought of wanting for people to know what it feels like to be understood, like how my artwork will relate to them in some way,” Soliman highlighted in an interview with FEU Advocate.

Soliman is also inspired by fellow artists and friends she meets in her day-to-day life.

As for Karen Mainit, or “Ms K”, a professor from IARFA, self-growth and wanting to help others are her inspirations for creating her art pieces. Being able to participate in the said gallery has helped her see and realize that art is “definitely limitless”.

“I also learned that being surrounded with unique artists with the same vision keeps you grounded and makes your work more meaningful and purposeful,” “Ms K” shared.

Both Tamaraw artists advocate seizing every opportunity, big or small, as this can have a significant effect not only on the artist but also on its audience.

“As an artist, your talent is not yours to own [or] keep, but it is to be shared to many – to inspire and to teach. So when beautiful [and] meaningful opportunities come, do not hesitate to take it and give your whole heart in creating,” “Ms K” said.

For Soliman, Multiformity has helped her overcome insecurity with her works. 

“As someone who has always been insecure with what I create, it made me feel more confident and comfortable with my own art,” the Fine Arts student expressed.

For the opportunity, Soliman and Mainit were very thankful for being given the chance to be part of something cataclysmic of evolving modern art and its discussion. 

Soliman commended her fellow Tamaraw artists for a well-put art exhibit and thanked them for all the encouragement they have given to her. 

“Ms K” wished her fellow contributors to continue being creative and expressed her gratitude to the producers and organizers of the display for bringing art and people closer together.

“Lastly, for all the exhibit goers, continue to support the art because there lies a language that only your heart and [one’s] work can understand to see things in a different perspective,” “Ms K” bade for the exhibit goers.

Some possible finds among the great gallery

Multiformity truly lives up to its name as it presents interesting pieces. Here are some one may expect when setting foot on the prestigious display of fortitude, talents, and mastery.

Jhomarie Lachica’s “We’re standing Where She Stood” may be the first painting you will encounter when going to the exhibit and think of it as ordinary impressionist art, but take some steps back and observe for it hides an interesting detail… or it outright shows it depending on how observant you are.

Nidhal Alamanzor’s “Garden Yarn” is a playful but witty piece of art that capitalizes on the humor of the current generation. Despite its quirky nature, the artist’s craftsmanship and dedication are evident, further concreting its place in the exhibit.

Aya Abad’s “We All Start Somewhere and End Upright Where We’re Supposed to be” is a one-of-a-kind piece that truly encapsulates the sense of being and existence of a person. There are times when we might be lost and clueless, but we will eventually find our own path and happiness.

Aaron Manubay’s “Ang Agos ng Tubig sa Batis, Likas na Nagningning ang Nais” can be considered the most unique of all the pieces in the exhibit as it is not a 2D art, but a 3D one instead. This 3.8kg-heavy obra is made with a 3D pen, Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament, and tons of patience.

Forming an art exhibit just like Multiformity is a celebration of life as art itself is a proof of being and living. From realistic portraits to abstract pieces, such creations would not be possible if human imagination and creativity did not exist in the first place.

Let us continue to celebrate and provide the budding Tamaraw artists an avenue for growth and learning.

"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable,” Cesar Cruz, a Mexican poet, academic, and activist once said.

Art has the power to reach and conquer reality through imaginative ways. It can touch upon the lives of people even though they are mostly perceived by the sight. Art may come in multiple forms, shapes, colors, and sizes, but it does have a singular purpose – to make people see – and, maybe, compassion, empathy, and kindness have their own set of eyes and they can clearly see the beauty, comedy, tragedy, and sincerity of art and its people.