Cebuano designer and artist, Francis Sollano |Contributed photos
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Water Towns Environmental Film and Arts Festival will exhibit the works of Cebuano designer Francis Sollano at the Duke Kunshan University in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China.
This was confirmed by Sollano to Cebu Daily News Digital that the exhibit will take place from April 11 to 14.
“I am definitely thankful for this invitation. It is rare to be with artists, who also work on the sphere of environmental activism. Plus, it is always a pleasure to share our stories on a global platform,” he said.
He also confirmed that he is the lone Filipino artist invited in the event.
Featured artworks will include wearable art sculpture made from drinking straws, jewelry made from magazine scraps, customizable shirts with artworks, and FrancisSollano (FS) fashion line capsule made from scrap fabrics.
A wearable art creatiion by Francis Sollano. |contributed photo
Aside from the exhibit, Sollano is also expected to give a talk and lead a workshop on art and recycling to students in Duke Kunshan University.
The Water Towns EFAF is organized by Duke Kunshan University, which features historical pieces and documentary film and artistic production with selected environmental theme.
“Considering China is one of the strongest manufacturing and fast growing economies, it is important that we collectively work together towards the benefit of the people, planet and profits,” he added.
Read more: Francis Sollano turning trash into treasure
Sollano, 31, is a designer in Cebu known for trash and arts turned into wearable art.
This is not the first time that the 31-year-old Cebuano has been featured internationally.
He was the lone Filipino artist featured in World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF-Association of Southeast Asian Nations) last 2017 in Cambodia.
Sollano did exhibits in London, Paris, and New York.
He was also an awardee in the Cultural Leader of the World Economic Forum in 2016 in Davos, Switzerland along with international personalities like Bono of U2, Michelle Yeoh, and Kevin Spacey.
Sollano is also the mand behind the “Pagpupugay” sculpture which honors the 44 members of Special Action Force (SAF) who lost their lives in Tukanilapao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015. /dbs