Curious Curator Artists: Harry Mark Gonzales and Kat Malazarte

(L-R Kat Malazarte and Harry Gonzales during the ribbon cutting)

Curious Curator features Ilonggo artists Harry Mark Gonzales and Kat Malazarte in their first ever exhibit. One is a sculptor; the other, a painter. One is seasoned; the other, budding.

The 34-year-old self-taught artist Harry Mark Gonzales started his love for sculpting when he was still young, “I like sculptures ever since I was a kid. But I started using clay before I used marble.”

His first competition in his craft was the Shell National Student Art Competition where he became one of the finalists. The competition paved the way for him to formally enter the field of sculpting. But his artistry in marble sculpting ignited even more when he bagged the grand prize at the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Awards in 2007 for his work “A Protest over Guimaras Oil Spill”.

Harry’s artisanship was greatly influenced by a respected multi-media visual artist whom he has worked with, Edward Defensor. They both made the reliefs around the San Rafael rotunda monument in Iloilo. Likewise, master sculptors Juan Sajid Imao and Abdul Asia Imao helped him to learn and perfect the medium of cold-casting.

In the first Curios Curator, he exhibited his cold-cast marble sculptures. His works were dedicated “For those mothers who lost their children, for single women who lost their boyfriends, and to those who really love going back to their memories.” says the artist.

Further he explained that the way he carves shapes and movements is his way appreciating and celebrating the beauty and strength of a woman. He always reminds himself that his art should represent and capture the evolving beauty, emotion, and experiences of a woman, to whom he owes his life.

With spirituality as the main theme in her work, the 21-year-old Kat Malazarte exhibited in this year’s Curious Curator her paintings that recognize the strength of women. She believes that “a woman’s quiet strength is her resilience. That no matter the storms that rage at her life, or the thorns that grow in and out of her womanhood, she, in the end, rises. Like the lotus which blooms amidst the mud. Like the bamboo which stands still after the storm."

She was inspired by the poet and artist Akiane Kramik who is known for paintings of Jesus Christ. This inspiration is very salient in her paintings because like Jesus Christ and Blessed Virgin Mary, there is modesty in her strokes. Her paintings are characterized by purity, inner silence, chastity and contemplation.

Last year, she won grand prize in Vision Petron National Student Art Competition 2015 for her video entry “Tignan Nang Malapitan, Damhin Nang Malalim”.

For her exhibit in Curios Curator, the painter’s inspiration was the Blessed Virgin Mary. “I want show the qualities of Mama Mary as a woman. But the faces of women in the paintings are not the same, there’s no specific face. I used models for the paintings but I change the face to make the subject mysterious.” she said.

The talented oil painter finished all the 8 paintings in just 12 days. “Actually, Curious Curator gave me 2 months to finish it but a lot of things happened in those months. So, I started painting September 1 and finished on September 12. It was very challenging but I just stood with my faith. I prayed and I did my best. Even me, I can’t believe that I finished it in just 12 days.” Kat said.

The creations of the artists, Mark Harry Gonzales and Kat Malazarte, truly create a visual feast that pays homage to the strength that allows women to endure.

31st Negros Trade Fair showcases unique fashion incorporating this year's theme "Biodiversity in Tourism"

The annual Negros Trade Fair has always been a fashionista’s dream. Why? Simple. There’s always a find for them – something unique, stylish, and just, oh, so beautiful. So come September 14-18, 2016, at the Glorietta Activity Center, fashionistas should come in full force.

Exhibitions like Negros Trade Fair help sustain communities of artisans in developing markets; by cultivating innovative business practices & providing an avenue to promote and sell their locally made products. Exhibitors use resources which are unique in their communities and incorporate their artisan skills to produce products for the global market.

As in previous years’, the 31st Negros Trade Fair will again have a mind-boggling array of fashion and accessories that will satisfy every craving of any fashionista. There will be the clothes, accessories, fashion jewelry and what have you that will add to that special look you want to achieve.

In the press conference of Negros Trade Fair last September 13, the representative of fashion sector, Margaret “Maymay” Villacin, proudly promoted the fashion industry of Negros. Some of the exhibitors  in this sector this year are MCV Designs, Reyes house of Piña, Masaste Art Collection, Tickled Tripper, ChiEvs Stones and Crystals by Maria Sigrid Dugeno-Lo, Kiculo Crafts, Ellege Fashion, Casa Mercedes and the business owned by Ms. Villacin, Maitasun Lan.
But some of the fashion and accessories available at the 31st Negros Trade Fair will have a new twist. In line with this year’s theme of Biodiversity in Tourism, some of the producers’ creativity was challenged and they faced up to it by creating items that incorporate the diverse natural beauty that nature has blessed this particular island paradise.

 Some of these accessories are necklaces made of clay and bamboo clutch. Most of the jewelries and accessories are handcrafted in the local municipalities of Negros. Imagine fashion items inspired by the species’ endemic only to Negros? Unique, huh? You’ll never find that shopping in any of the other places around the metro! That’s for sure!

The fashion and accessory finds at the Negros Trade Fair isn’t just for fashionistas though. There’s a find for anyone and everyone…from babies to those with grand babies, there’s the piece that’s just perfect for you. What’s best is that their all beautifully created and designed, as well as crafted to the highest quality standards.

So if it’s unique fashion and accessories you’re looking for, the 31st Negros Trade Fair is the place for you. You can visit the trade event until Sunday. Hurry up!

Source: Association of Negros Producers

MCV Designs

 Tickled Tripper

 Reyes House of Piña

Casa Mercedes

ChiEvs Stones and Crystals by Maria Sigrid Dugeno-Lo

 Ellege Fashion

 Kiculo Crafts: The Pandan Bag Ladies

 Masaste Art Collection

Arima: Government officials lead the opening of the 31st Negros Trade Fair

Senators and other government officials led the Arima of the annual Negros Trade Fair at the Glorietta Activity Center last September 13. The event was hosted by Edu Manzano and Miss Earth Bacolod 2009 Sandra Seifert who are both proud Negrenses.

Showing solidarity and support for the opening ceremonies were Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora Terrado, Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. Negros Occidental acting Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson was also present during the event along with local government officials of Negros.  

The municipality of Negros has donated 700,000 Php to the organizer of the event, Association of Negros Producers (ANP). 

With the theme “Biodiversity in Tourism”, the 31st Negros Trade Fair aims to promote the tourism in Negros while educating people on the conservation of biodiversity. Mansinares said that it is important to include efforts on protecting the biodiversity of Negros in every tourism-related event because it is the main source of mostly everything, food, tourism and other craft, in Negros.

ANP is hopeful that this year’s trade fair will attract more potential local and international markets as well as tourists.

Before the tolling of the bell, the event started with cocktail party that features slow food dishes and ingredients. Eight chefs, including Chef Jayps Anglo and Chef Fernando Aracama, gathered to promote slow food movement. The pre-event activity was hosted by the Slow Food Negros.

The remaining days of the fair will be highlighted by 110 selling booths from different sectors: food, natural and organic, fashion accessories and garments, furniture and furnishings, gifts, decor and house wares, and tourism.

Photo credits to Piaya Network Broadcasting Corp.

The annual Negros Trade Fair is here

Looking back three decades ago, Negros Trade Fair is just a small exhibition of crafts and food goodies of Negros. The trade event was initiated by 14 housewives, a gentleman and the Department of Trade and Industry to preserve and promote the Negrense’s culture. All the initiatives contributed to where the trade fair is now, an internationally recognized event that celebrates culture and tradition.

Considered as the country’s longest running trade fair, Negros Trade Fair is a well-known cultural trade fair in the country and a platform that showcases the Negros culture worldwide. It presents a variety of foods and crafts produced and indigenous to the people of Negros for the global market.

Negros Trade Fair is organized by Association of Negros Produces (ANP).  Annually, it exhibits the innovations in craftsmanship in Negrense’s products. The trade fair is sub-divided into five fairs: houseware, beauty products, fashion, food, and biodiversity. Each sectors show contemporary alteration in products while still embodying the culture and tradition of Negrenses. 

On their 31st year, Negros Trade fair will give us again a taste of Negrense’s culture. Visit this year’s trade fair at Glorietta Activity Center and have a glimpse of artisanship and gastronomy tradition of Negros. 

The event will take place on September 14-18.

www.negrostradefair.com