HOME is such a versatile word, but you know when you’re there. It’s the intangible feeling you get in a location, a sense of peace, joy from loved ones, or an environment where you are always welcome.
Home means various things to different people – a place to entertain or just a place to crash, where we find comfort and safety, where we put down our roots, and where our dreams become reality. At the end of the day, one’s home is a sanctuary away from a busy and sometimes, very scary world. It’s also where we can be true to ourselves.
In its exhibit titled “At Home”, ongoing until April 29 at Parola: UP Fine Arts Gallery in Quezon City, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK) presents its diverse interpretations of home or what it could be like.
Featuring 60 house-shaped art pieces in digital and traditional media, the exhibition showcases a behind-the-scenes look at the home life of Ang INK members or “Inkies”.
“It is where the heart is, but sometimes, also where the ‘asar’ is,” say the Inkies. “Life at home is complex and nuanced. More than shelter, the home is witness to myriad activities, experiences, and memories.”
Heartwarming creations
Among the works are Viel Vidal’s “Safe Safe Space Space”, which spotlights a figure who appears to be dreaming while reclining comfortably with closed eyes. Mickey Velarde’s “Shelter” depicts several dogs of assorted breeds at play indoors. “Clingy” by May Tobias-Papa zooms in on a child enfolded by kisses of his parents.
Jomike Tejido’s “The Maker’s Space” is a non-representational mixed media piece while Angela Taguiang’s “You Feel Like Home” is a conceptual portraiture rendered in an analogous palette. “Furever Home” by Tinay Sison features a multi-panel narrative highlighting vignettes from the life of a cheerful pet owner.
Kim Santiago’s “Salubong” is a vibrantly colored illustration that presents frisky pets welcoming their owner who has just come home. “Batkivshina” by Benedict Reyna shows a solitary figure in a steampunk-esque sleeping area who seems to be communing with spirits, while Rex Aguilar’s “Growing Home” is a multimedia collage with delicately cut-out trees.
Ivan Reverente’s “Uwian Na”, a playful digital art depicting comic book references to a “Baston of Destiny”, “Blazing Tsinelas” and “Striking Walis Tambo”. Liz Ranola’s bold black, white and red rendering of “Home is Anywhere the Fam is” shows a cheerful family with pets, while Patricia Ramos’ “After School Special” focuses on a student who has just come home sharing a snack with her dog.
“After being away, a taste of home is delicious and a glimpse of home can be very precious,” they add. “We can welcome people into our home for some company or choose to shut the door if some solitude is in order. We can be ourselves, wear our rattiest clothes, make a mess, and just be ‘at home'”.
Panel discussions
Held in conjunction with the exhibit will be a series of panel discussions.
“The Artist as Storyteller: How Illustrations Shape Stories” is set on April 18. Moderated by Liza Flores and Rommel Joson, the discussion features “Ang Batang Papet” illustrator Angela Taguiang, “Tintin’s Birthday Party” illustrator Marcus Nada, “Tapak! Tapon! Tama!” illustrator CJ Reynaldo and “Ang Unang Engkantada” illustrator Jap Mikel.
“Elsewhere: Philippine Children’s Illustration within the Global Landscape”, moderated by Isa Nazareno, will be held on April 29. The event features writer and reading advocate, Xi Zuq; writer and children’s storybook development specialist, Al Santos; and illustrator Bianca Lesaca.
Ang INK
Founded in 1991, Ang INK was the offshoot of a children’s book illustration workshop sponsored by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People and the Goethe-Institut Manila conducted by German illustrator Reinhard Michl.
Ang INK has 70 members who are illustrators, graphic designers, painters, writers, teachers working in educational institutions, publishing companies and design and advertising agencies. The organization aims to enrich and elevate the visual art of illustration while contributing to the continued professionalization of the industry.
So what makes a house a home? A residence is like an entity with a life of its own. You give life to it the moment you make it yours, taking care of it, giving it affection, filling it with your belongings and the sound of your daily life. But, for a space with four walls to be your real home, you need the people you love.
Your family, friends and even pets are the ones that give your home the emotional imprint that makes it truly yours. Sometimes, it does not matter where you are. If you’re with the people you cherish, a condo can become a palace and an apartment of a few square meters a five-star hotel.
In any dwelling, it’s your emotions that paint the walls and your well-being lays the carpet. That’s what makes it feel like home.
