Last January 8, artist JoarSongcuya launched his third solo exhibit “THE SEA IS NOT A QUIET PLACE” at Altro Mondo in Makati City.
Songcuya, who worked as a marine engineer on chemical and oil tankers and container ships for ten years, took to easel and paint in his cabin to while away his long months at sea.His experiences are depicted in the oil and acrylic-on-canvas paintings, pencil and ink illustrations, and maritime-inspired installations of “The Sea Is Not a Quiet Place”.
Curated by Ricky Francisco, this exhibit dwells on the themes of danger, the volatile nature of sea and man, as well as loneliness and isolation. The harshness of a seafarer’s life is portrayed in expressionist works of brewing storms and turbulent waves, solitary men, empty cabins, bustling foreign ports, and confrontational crew members. Songcuya wishes not to romanticize the sea, but rather, make viewers awareof its natural dangers and the challenges of a seafaring job.
The self-taught Ilonggo artist entered the maritime industry at the age of 18 under a Norwegian Ship owners’ Association scholarship, graduated with a degree in marine engineering, and is currently studying Art History at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Songcuya started showing his works at Art in the Park in 2018 and 2021, moving on to participate in group shows at Greyspace, Museo Iloilo, Pinto Museum, and Arte Bettina Gallery among others, and mounted his first solo exhibit “The History of Water” at Altro Mondo in 2021. He was also part of the “Atlantiko, Pasipiko, Artiko” show curated by Dr. Patrick Flores at VIVA ExCon, the Visayas-wide Biennale held last 2020-2021.
“The Sea is Not a Quiet Place” also aims to call attention to the plight of Filipino seafarers, who comprise 25 percent of the approximately 1.5 million mariners worldwide.
Songcuyapoints out that while OFW-seafarers are still viewed by most of the populace as dollar-earning adventure-seekers, he wishes to present a deeper narrative of the life and sacrifices of maritime workers through his art.
This exhibit runs until February 5, 2022.
“The Sea is Not a Quiet Place” will be on show at Altro Mondo at 1159 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City (open Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm); until February 5, 2022. Follow them on Instagram @altromondoart to book an appointment. Follow @joarsongcuya on Instagram. Photos by JC & N Photography and Ricky Francisco
