In honor of National Heritage Month, the Philippine Embassy in Rabat, along with Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talentong Pilipino (KUNST), organized an art lecture and workshop at the Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR) on 03 May 2024 as part of its cultural diplomacy program.
The lecture was given by Mr. Virgilio Cuizon, a well-known Filipino curator, artist, and leader of the Filipino community in Germany. He discussed the history of Philippine visual arts, emphasizing the impact of Filipino artists like Juan Luna on the impressionist movement.
Mr. Cuizon introduced the concept of “Filipinism,” which he described as the unique expression of Filipino identity through art. He encouraged the students to draw inspiration from their surroundings and personal experiences to infuse their art with their cultural identity.
After the lecture, visiting Filipino artists led a workshop on using oil pastels and felt paper. The participants, members of the university art club, eagerly learned new drawing and coloring techniques. Mr. Cuizon urged them to create art reflective of their values and Moroccan identity.
During the workshop, one participant drew a teapot symbolizing her childhood memories and Moroccan heritage. The artists presented souvenir artworks to all participants as tokens of appreciation.
The Filipino artists are in Morocco for the Viaje 3 Filipinism What Makes Art Filipino exhibition at the Abla Ababou Gallery in Rabat from 6 to 15 May 2024. This exhibition marks the gallery’s first showcase of Asian artists since its opening in 2017.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.