12 Fil-Am artists hold exhibit in 'Windy City'

Twelve Filipino-American artists took to their canvases to celebrate the century-long presence of Filipinos in the “Windy City" — Chicago.

The works of these artists — who all have their mark in the Philippine and Chicago art scenes— are currently on display at the contemporary art exhibit titled “Pinas Sining: Filipino Arts at a Glimpse." The art showcase, which runs until Oct. 27 at the Chicago Pedway, is organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago to celebrate:

the Filipino-American History Month;

the Chicago Artists Month; and

National Hero Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary. The Filipino-American History Month is on its second running, after Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn both issued proclamations last year, dedicating October to this celebration. It is believed that Filipino migration to Chicago can be traced to the early 1900s. ‘First of its kind’ Among the artworks on exhibit is the three-dimensional mixed media display by Sherie Sta. Cruz-Sloane, who is known for water-media cityscapes that capture the vibrancy of Chicago. Sloane’s work, “Filipinos in Chicago: Then and Now," is composed of eight separate paintings layered for 3-D effect. It features the Chicago skyline and landmarks like Michigan Ave., Millenium Park, Willis/Sears Tower, and the Cloud Gate or the “Bean."

In a statement, the Consulate called Sloane’s diorama display “the first of its kind in Chicago Pedway’s display." “It took two months of planning, sketching, painting, and putting the pieces together to complete the amazing installation," the Consulate said. The statement also quoted the award-winning Antipolo-born artist, who said she made the display to show the Filipinos’ contribution in Chicago’s history and culture. Sloane’s works have been praised in various newspapers in Chicago and the Philippines. The “Chicago Sun-Times" called her painterly approach and attention to detail “impressive." Filipino artists The exhibit, for the second time, also features the works of Willi Buhay, who is known in Chicago as one of the authorities in Philippine studies because of his efforts to bring artistic awareness of Rizal. (http://willibuhay.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/31/) A former artistic director for design of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Buhay was also involved in the production of “Waywaya," the Philippines’ first entry to the Cannes Film Festival. He was design director for Pope Paul VI’s visit to Manila in 1980. The art showcase also holds the works of:

Paul Balan;

Cesar Conde;

Eve Red Buhay (ERBU);

Regin Igloria;

Fred de Asis;

Roland Mechael Ilagan;

Joel Javier;

Johannah Silva;

Elissa Perez;

Lea Rivera, and

Susan Alforque Silvano. - VVP, GMA News