Multigeneration Art Exhibition celebrates Filipino Heritage in Canada

The Filipino Canadian exhibition was a successful collaboration between first, second, and third generation Filipino Canadians at the Kamloops Art Gallery. The exhibition entitled​ Generations Under The Sun​ was a visual celebration of the proclamation of Filipino heritage month in Canada. It was designed to be an authentic reflection of the spirit and family-centered culture of Filipinos.

Artists of all ages were able to display their work under a canopy of fiesta banners that were flown in from the street markets of Manila, Philippines. A collection of bright and colorful art was displayed on “sunshine yellow” gallery wall, a color that was chosen by one of the youngest participating artists in the exhibition. Young artists also decided on the layout of all seventeen (17) artworks on the open gallery’s 29 foot wall. The paintings and photographs were arranged together on a single wall bringing each of the pieces close together similar to a Filipino family’s home gallery. A single layout map label identified each artwork as they were arranged on the wall.

The public enjoyed live music, food, and cocktails during the opening reception on July 13, 2019. It was an exciting night at the Kamloops Art Gallery with three (3) new exhibitions on display this summer.

Families and friends were able to enjoy interactive Filipino-themed art such as the kinetics and, that gave visitors the experience of playing with fine whites and similar to the beaches of the Philippines and ocean bottles that felt like diving in to its tropical waters. A small diorama on display showed a traditional Filipino meal shared on a banana leaf. All the interactive items in the exhibition were designed and handmade by young artists.

The Filipino exhibition was complimented for the beautiful art on display and how cheery and bright the whole experience was. Seasoned Filipino Canadian artists generously shared their work from Vancouver, Kelowna, and Hamilton, Ontario. And local Filipino Canadian artists from Kamloops such as Felian Cabael, Rose Cortez, Clara Lavina and Anya Lavina led workshops at the Kamloops Art Gallery to complement the exhibition.

It was truly a memorable exhibition at the Kamloops Art Gallery that was on display from July 13 to August 17, 2019. Vice Consul Cham Guevara was able to meet the artists and organizers in Kamloops and was proud to see the first event of its kind outside of Vancouver, and looked forward to more. The exhibition was a successful pioneering partnership led by Emily Hope, the education and public programs director of the Kamloops Art Gallery, and Mona Lavina, head of arts and culture of Filipino Canadian Association of Kamloops.