Babayi, Bayani: An All Women Exhibit for the families of EJK victims
“Why shouldn’t I be proud to be a woman? My father, that enthusiastic apostle of humanity, many times reiterated to me that woman’s mission was to elevate the human race, that she was the Messiah of future centuries. It is to his doctrines that I owe the great, noble ambition I have conceived for the sex that which I proudly affirm to be mine, and whose independence I will support to my dying day”
- Rosa Bonheur, “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists” by Linda Nochlin
This March, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, Stall 09 in Cubao X showcases a group show titled “Babayi Bayani” by Bloom, a group of women artists. “Babayi” is a Visayan word for “woman” as the exhibit celebrates women as our day to day heroes. The exhibit is comprised of a series of small works that convey women empowerment and love for country. And one of the ways we empower women who serve the country through their different roles is through self-expression and supporting fellow women. Whether the works portray women making use of their personal agency to achieve their aspirations and realize their vision without need of permission, voicing out social justice concerns, or highlighting the nurturing instinct of women, these artists refuse to allow women to be written off by history where women are traditionally pushed to the sidelines as though they do not play an integral role in society. Indeed, women empowerment and love for country should not be separate. Women are our nurturers as well as leaders and voices for our country.
Bloom’s Babayi, Bayani exhibition opening will be on March 1 and on March 8, the artists will host a film screening of “Memories of a Forgotten War” by Sari Dalena and Camilla Griggers. A portion of the artworks will be auctioned and the proceeds will be donated to RESBAK (Respond and Break the Silence Against Killings) art community projects that serve families of drug war victims.
My entries and artist statements are available here.
