Indigenous Art Binds Man-Nature Relationship

Indigenous Art Binds Man-Nature Relationship

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Indigenous art display at the Living with Nature Center, author's residence

 San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

Indigenous art collection of  paintings, wood and rock formations found in nature, crafted and organized into a central theme that represents an art movement which is gaining recognition in the light of fast growing ecological consciousness worldwide. 

  

Wood and stone crafts of indigenous origin. Burnay, glazed earthen jar is a signature of ancient culture.  In Pagburnayan (burnay-making barangay) in Vigan City, burnay is still made the primitive way.  Inset: An 18th century cellar where basi wine undergoes aging. Burnay and basi wine making in the Ilocos region are traditionally linked as an industry as early as in pre-Hispanic era.  The cellar is a feature of the Living with Nature Center.

   

 Bas-relief of  Bahay Kubo, romanticized by Filipino artists, led by Fernando Amorsolo in painting,  Nicanor Abelardo and Antonio Molina in music, and Lucrecia Kasilag in performing arts.  Above, a reconstructed head of Philippine deer, now virtually extinct in our forests. The bas-relief is made of kamagong, an ebony wood from mabolo Diospyrus discolor), listed among the threatened species of trees.

Mythical image of a strange creature fills the imagination  of old folks and children alike found in the works of Philippine folklore story-tellers, led by Severino Reyes, pen name Lola Basyang, and Camilo Osias, author of  books used in pre-war elementary school. On display at the Living with Nature Center, author's residence in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

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Relief on hardwood of narra (Dipterocarpus indica), sculpt by an unknown artisan  among the Mangyans, aborigines of the islands of Mindoro and Palawan, graces harmoniously with the display of  indigenous art at the Living with Nature Center.  Narra is in the list of strictly protected trees in the Philippines. ~