Fernando Kabigting’s wood paintings exhibit extended to June 25
Philippine landscapes and landmarks are his favorite themes
The solo show was the centerpiece cultural presentation of the Philippine Consulate for the 2015 celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
Diplomats, artists, nuns, and members of the Filipino-American community viewed the latest works of the famed artist at the June 10 opening night held at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue.
Guests were treated to a first look of more than 30 of Kabigting’s newest and never-before-seen art pieces that depicted Philippine landscapes and popular landmarks painted with acrylic mostly on old wood used in train tracks sourced from various places in the Philippines.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. said he was first introduced to the works of Kabigting in 2014 when he met with the artist’s wife, Menchu. He said he was deeply moved and inspired by how Kabigting rose above a “formidable trial that left him with a permanent physical infirmity, and how, instead of allowing this trial to stop him, he has used this to become an even greater artist.”
“Mr. Kabigting’s works that we exhibit today reflect his fortitude, dedication to his craft, and a passion to create beauty,” said De Leon.
Menchu recounted how her husband suffered a debilitating stroke in 1999 that left his right hand, the hand that he used to paint, completely paralyzed and his left eye blind. Determined to continue with his craft despite the physical infirmity, the artist trained his left hand to paint. The challenges to his vision also led him to venture to watercolor from his previous oil and charcoal media, which resulted in dramatic and striking color palettes.
“Art to Didi, as he is called, is synonymous to life, to breathing and to praying,” said Menchu. She disclosed his art led him to a new horizon and to a freer level in expressing his ideas and feelings with a tone and style that reveal a complete transformation.
Kabigting’s last exhibit at the Philippine Center was his first one-man show in 1988, when he brought his signature paintings done on “batya” or wooden basin. Since then, he had numerous one-man exhibits at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2009, at the Italia Gallery in Bacolod City in 2012, and at the Ayala Museum in Manila in 2014. He is now based in Iloilo, the hometown of his wife, where he continues to paint.
The artist with wife Menchu outside the Philippine Center Gallery, where the window display featured two of his pieces depicting the Paoay Church and Mt. Mayon.
