Art and faith are rolled into one in at least 40 colorful, intricate paintings of angels and the Blessed Virgin Mary on exhibit at the SM City Art Center.
A silent auction is going on for 26 of the framed artwork, original Cuzqueña paintings.
Proceeds will be for the benefit of the Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu.
Heritage advocates aim to raise funds for the repair and beautification of the Cathedral Museum.
The art exhibit opened last Friday and will last until 6 p.m. of Oct. 18.
“The Cathedral Museum is one of the venues during the International Eucharistic Congress in January but its ceiling has started to leak. All 10 electric fans have conked out. We need to beautify the museum,” said Louie Nacorda, curator of the exhibit.
The paintings come from Nacorda’s personal collection alhtough 14 of them are not for sale.
Years ago, he started collecting works of the Cuzco school of painting, a 500-year-old art form that originated in Peru. It started in the 16th century when Peru was colonized by Spain.
Spanish missionaries asked Spain to send painters to train local artists for the purpose of teaching the Catholic faith.
“So they came and taught local painters how to do Spanish baroque. But local painters incorporated their own artistic temperament so the product is both classical and modern; baroque and indigenous,” said Nacorda.
Cuzqueña paintings are known for the predominant use of yellow, red, and earth colors. The subjects are all religious.
One can see the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel as well portraits of the Blessed Virgin Mary under her titles of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Bethlehem, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Our Lady of the Rule, Immaculate Conception, and Our Lady of the Rosary.
One unique portrait shows an angel holding a shotgun instead of a sword. A choir of angels bring a variety of musical instruments.
“Ecclesiastical or religious art reinforces the dogmas of the faith. We are taught to pray to the guardian angels or pray the Hail Mary but we don’t have any idea on how a guardian angel looks or the appearance of Mary, ” said Nacorda.
Looking at the painting could inspire a better vision.
“It’s difficult to believe in something you don’t see. That’s logic. But faith is blind as they say. Now art could be the eyes of faith,” said Nacorda.
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