While 2021 continues to be an uncertain year, Mandani Bay continues to celebrate arts and culture in time for the Sinulog Festivities in an event dubbed “Creativity and World-Class Vision,” an exhibit by Cebu’s acclaimed abstract artist Dennis “Sio” Montera.
The painting exhibit is a collaborative effort by world-class Waterfront township development Mandani Bay and Montera, whose pieces are commissioned for the Mandani Bay Suites, Mandani Bay’s first two towers.
“There is something about Cebu’s passion in culture and the arts and we want to promote that through showcasing the artworks of Sio Montera,” said Gilbert Ang, HTLand’s Project Director.
According to Ang, when Mandani Bay was still in the pipeline, Cebu’s culture and creativity were the two main cores that they wanted to emphasize in their project, making it an important tool to also promote the local community of artists.
Mandani Bay is a joint venture of Hongkong Land and Taft Properties, located in a sprawling 20-hectare waterfront township with a stunning view of the coast and the encompassing cityscape.
Montera, known for his symbolic art pieces that are non-figurative, elaborates his feelings in faith, mortality, distress, and isolation, including the abstract concept of life that motivated him in the expression of his art.
The commissioned pieces, according to Montera, was a liberating experience as the job kept him busy amidst a pandemic that generally caused anxiety and uncertainty to most individuals.
A JOLTING JOURNEY TO A NEW DESTINATION – A tragedy, a sudden event, a global pandemic can change our life’s trajectory in an instant.
Among the biggest pieces commissioned for Mandani is a 4ft by 8ft creation titled “A Jolting Journey to a New Destination,” whose body of work depicted how tragedies brought by the pandemic can change our sails; but no matter how tough the current may seem, something interesting awaits us in the end.
OLD HOUSE, NEW LIFE- A home whether in structural form or conceptual construct is given new life as a new generation creates new members in them.
Other 4ft by 4ft creations like the “Old House, New Life” and “A Wealth of Empathy” transport anyone in a visual trance as the work reflects on the concept of creating memories and empathy that powers imagination and kindness as we traverse uncertain times in our life.
The exhibit features 40 of the Cebuano visual artist’s creations, 11 of which were specifically commissioned by HTLand and have undergone a rigorous screening process from their Hong Kong office before approval.
These commissioned pieces will soon be displayed in the communal areas of Mandani Bay Suits while the smaller paintings will be available for purchase.
While HTLand has a brighter outlook for the year, the developer hopes to showcase more Cebuano talent as a means of celebrating our rich culture in the field of arts.
“Creativity and World-Class Vision” with Dennis “Sio” Montera will run until January 31 at the Mandani Bay Show Gallery. /rcg