After living in Canada for quite a number of years now, it was refreshing and welcome to be reminded of our rich and diverse roots when I finally came to experience over a week ago, the art works of the prolific Filipino artist — the late great Pacita Abad at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on Dundas Street West. I have heard and read of Pacita Abad through the years but have never really come across an actual exhibit of her works. In the words of AGO in their exhibition overview write-up online, she was “under-recognized in her lifetime”.
Thanks to the AGO, The Walker Art Center, who organized the exhibit in collaboration with the Pacita Abad Art Estate in Los Angeles, we have the exceptional opportunity to immerse ourselves in her “wild” art here in our very own Art Gallery of Ontario in downtown Toronto. This excellent exhibit is a very fitting recognition of the astounding works of Batanes-born, self-taught, tireless and prolific artist Pacita Abad.
Quoting from the write-up of the AGO regarding this exhibit…
“The exuberant and wide-ranging works of the late Philippine-born artist Pacita Abad make their Canadian debut as part of her first retrospective. This acclaimed exhibition includes more than 100 artworks showcasing Abad’s experiments in different mediums: textiles, works on paper, paintings, prints, and a range of archival material and studio ephemera….She is best known for her large-scale hanging trapuntos, a form of quilted painting made of stitched and stuffed canvas….Largely self-taught, her work resonates with the various artistic communities she encountered in her global travels, incorporating a diversity of cultural traditions and techniques – from Korean ink brush painting to Indonesian batik.”
The aesthetics of her work, reminds me somewhat of the fabric artworks of Patis Pamintuan Tesoro, whose Filipiniana clothes creations brought the native –inspired genre of clothes to new heights. In fact, I would go further to say that Patis Tesoro set a trend that has not waned or wavered. Perhaps, she was inspired by the works of Pacita Abad. This is just conjecture on my part though.
While viewing this retrospective of Pacita Abad’s paintings currently ongoing at the AGO, I could not but marvel at the amount of work it took to accomplish the artworks. And they are huge. You must see the tremendous art works yourselves to understand what I mean. Especially impressive was how the gallery presented the underwater- themed trapuntos. The lighting design is immensely creative. I am so glad and proud that a Filipino artist is having a major exhibition at the AGO.
The retrospective exhibit at AGO of Pacita Abad’s artworks are on till January 19, 2025. It is worth the trip and the weather to visit and experience her works up close.
2024 MARKS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANADA-PHILIPPINES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
I think it is the perfect time for the Pacita Abad retrospective at the AGO as we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Philippines this year. I cannot think of a better way to promote our friendship and cooperation than through soft power diplomacy, something which is sorely lacking in the world now.
MY ONE CENT TAKE ON THE US ELECTION
Speaking of soft power diplomacy – perhaps the incoming new administration in the U.S. will really and truly finally work for peace and not war. We can all breathe a sigh of relief if it does turn out that way. And I would like to give it the benefit of the good.
Mabuhay!
Tessie O. Taylor