SARMING: Ynna's 1st Art Exhibit

March 27, 2009: Ynna's debut art exhibit! Who would've thought that she'd go on to have five more exhibits (as of Jan. 2011)?

Binuksan ang "SARMÍNG: A Twoman Exhibit (The Art of Ynna Abuan & Vivian Limpin)" sa TAuMBAYAN Restaurant sa Quezon City at tumagal hanggang April 30, 2009. The exhibit opening stands as one of the happiest days of my art life -- this was the first time that Ynna revealed herself as a visual artist to people other than close friends & family.

Nakatutuwa ang todo-suporta ng mga kabarkada niya at mga kasama naming manunulat sa LIRA at Dapitdilim Fellowship of Writers na dumating sa gabing 'to. What's more, we enjoyed a free jam session led by *the* Bituin Escalante, a regular of the resto owned by people from theater, TV, and film. So we can actually claim that Bituin sang at Ynna's exhibit launch, wehehe.

Maraming salamat siempre kay Vivian N. Limpin para sa pagkakataong ito. (At humiram din ako ng ilang retrato mula sa kanya para sa album na 'to.)

The exhibit overview that I wrote:

Sarmíng is the Ilocano word for salamin, or "mirror." But it could also very well be a portmanteau for "sarisaring tingin" (albeit with an absent "m").

Various views, varied visions. These two women without formal training and any pretensions in the visual arts paint their stories in contrasting styles. Ynna Abuan’s canvas (or scrap plywood from time to time) is often a playground of playful colors that find restraint in the fantastic figures of women and intricate patterns. On the other hand, gazing into Vivian Limpin’s serene hues is like looking into the horizon – one gets the feeling of witnessing infinity, only that the physical medium hides the rest from your eyes.

Sarmíng is the first time that Abuan’s works are going to be displayed – not that she dreamt or expected it to happen in her lifetime. This exhibit is the latest of Limpin’s many group and solo shows.

The works at Sarmíng might be art for some and fart for others. Outsider art, untrained craft, mere daubs and splashes, or whatever you call it – drop by anyway. Paintings will be the main course and poetry readings the hors d'oeuvre. And while you’re there, sample the menu and have a round of drinks at this new art resto this side of the metro.

Read the full overview & artists' profiles here.

The Dapitdilim writers (Ynna & I included) met up early evening in Philcoa before proceeding by cab to Kamuning. 7-8 PM nagsimula ang programa. Around 3 AM na ata kami umalis ng TAuMBAYAN; nag-wind down muna kami sa Tomas Morato bago umuwi ng 5 AM.

P.S. Pagpasensyahan ang kapangitan ng composition ng photos ko rito. Pramis, ilang buwan pagkatapos nitong gabing 'to e mas gumaling naman ako. Hahahaha.