Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza, popularly known as SYM
SM CITY Cebu is set to relaunch on Nov. 21, 2014 the newly-renovated SM Art Center with the homecoming art exhibit of renowned Canada-based Cebuano painter Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza, popularly known as SYM.
It was more than 50 years ago when SYM first left his home province of Cebu to travel to Manila with only five pesos for the trip. Working at painter Cesar Buenaventura’s workshop, he met Amang Villanueva, a fish trader from Hagonoy, Bulacan. Believing in SYM’s talent, Amang sent SYM to the College of Fine Arts of the University of Santo Tomas and then to the University of the East. In 1968, SYM and Emilio Aguilar Cruz joined forces to organize the Dimasalang Group of artists. The Dimasalang artists became known for their “en plein air” landscapes of Manila and neighboring municipalities. SYM traveled extensively to North America and Europe in the late seventies. After three visits to Vancouver, Canada, and upon the prodding of his best friend and patron Simeon Dee, SYM entertained the idea of migrating to Canada.
On Feb. 22, 1981, SYM and his wife Ely with their seven children aged one to eleven years arrived in the midst of winter in Vancouver. Since then, Canada has been home to the Mendoza family.
The newly-renovated SM Art Center has hosted many important art exhibits of local and national visual artists since it first opened in 1994. It is positioned as an appropriate exhibition venue in support of the development of the visual arts through solo or collaborative group shows. Furthermore, it exposes to the general public the various forms of visual art which helps expand appreciation for the creativity and skill of highly talented and established artists. Among the foremost artists that have exhibited in the SM Art Center are Romulo Galicano, Sanso, and Manuel Baldemor.
The “SYM Summation 1978-2014” art exhibit is presented by Hiraya Gallery, and supported by SM City Cebu and the forthcoming SM Seaside City Cebu. The exhibition will run until Dec. 21. For more particulars, please email dididee@hiraya.com or contact telephone no. (02) 5233331. You may also visit www.hiraya.com.
For inquiries regarding the SM Art Center, contact the SM City Cebu Mall Administration Office at (032) 231-3446 to 47 and look for the assistant mall manager Maria Teresa Mempin. (PR)