Rodel Tapaya’s Prism and Parallelism

Read this First: The BenCab Museum Experience

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I’m starting to develop an interest in young Filipino Artists who are making waves in the international art scene.

One of those artists is Rodel Tapaya who won first prize in the Asia-Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize in 2011 for “Baston ni Kabunian, Bilang pero di mabilang”.

Prism and Parallelism is Rodel Tapaya’s latest solo show featuring 13 acrylic on canvas works. His paintings are about popular folklore stories of the Cordilleras and Central Luzon that are made relevant to our present lives.

I found them a bit dark, intriguing and patriotic. No wonder all the paintings were sold out before the exhibition. This is probably the last time you’ll see this collection in one room.

Check out Rodel Tapaya’s Prism and Parallelism in the BenCab Museum (until April 15, 2012)…

Awesome Baguio Experience Series:

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Prism and Parallelism by Rodel Tapaya (February 25 to April 15, 2012)

Celebrated painter, Rodel Tapaya, opens his solo exhibition, Prism and Parallelism in Gallery Indigo. The exhibition pieces together long-treasured folklores that hold unique representations of mythological heroes and indigenous fable characters in beautiful compositions that are as dense and complex as the originating text.

Widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most active artists, Tapaya has received numerous accolades in his young career, the most recent being the grand prize of the Asia-Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize in 2011.

(Source: BenCab’s Opening Exhibit Speech)

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Metamorphosis by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 152.5 cms)

A Tagalog folklore that depicts how learning can transform a person for good or bad.

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The Giant Target by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

A David and Goliath-like folklore from Pampanga.

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Maria’s Mother by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

A folklore about a dog-mother and her three daughters.

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During the exhibit launch, Baguio artist John Frank Sabado served one of the best Tapuey in Baguio. It is rice wine with a milky color; it was very smooth and had a good alcoholic kick.

I wonder where I can buy a bottle of tapuey for pasalubong next time?

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Lost Saw by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

A Tarlac folklore regarding lost objects and losing our natural forests because of logging.

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Bangan’s Appearance by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

This is a personal favorite. Rodel Tapaya shared with me the story of this painting, which is about Bangan’s attempt to become a false bride and the struggle of the real bride, who was turned into a caterpillar, to warn the groom and stop the wedding.

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Gen Manuk by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

Angry Birds Pinoy-style, where the god Gugurang turned his enemies into chickens.

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I want to expose my boys to art as early as possible. We are noticing Aidan has a talent for drawing. 🙂

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New Home by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 152.5 cms)

The story of the good and bad side of starting anew.

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Banana Skin Peeling by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

This is about transforming for the better and shedding off the skin of the beast.

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Don Miguel by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

A story about a Philippine haciendero named Don Miguel.

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Aidan and Raphael with Rodel Tapaya. 🙂

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Dalagang Bukid by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5cms)

An Igorot Folklore about a daughter who transformed into a sirena.

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The Treasured Egg by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

A popular fable about a man who killed the chicken who lays the golden egg.

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The Wise Man by Rodel Tapaya (Acrylic on Canvas 2012 122 x 91.5 cms)

A story about the Wise Man and Gossiping.

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Don’t miss Rodel Tapaya’s exhibit this Holy Week in Baguio! 🙂

About Rodel Tapaya

Rodel Tapaya was born in Montalban, Rizal, Philippines in 1980 and studied painting at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts as well as the Parsons School of Design in New York and The University of Art and Design in Helsinki.

Recent solo exhibitions include:

  • Labyrinth, Art Stage Singapore (2012)
  • Bulaklak ng Dila, Vagas Museum, Manila (2011)
  • This Beast I Have Become, Y++ Gallery, Beijing (2011)

He has been included in numerous other notable international art fairs and expositions. With a young career belted with accolades, he is widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most active artists.

The Ben Cab Museum is hosting his first solo exhinbition in the country outside Metro Manila featuring paintings often drawn from the native folklore of the Northern Philippines. Among such works, “Baston ni Kabunian, Bilang pero di mabilang,” won the Asia-Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize in 2011.

(Source: Prism and Parallelism Rodel Tapaya Souvenir Catalog)

Visit Official Website: RodelTapaya.com

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BENCAB MUSEUM
Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan,
Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Telephone: +63 74 442-7165
Mobile: +63 920 530-1954
Email: bencabartfoundation@gmail.com
Websitewww.BenCabMuseum.Org

Museum hours:
Open daily except Mondays, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
from 9:00am to 6:00pm (last entry is at 5:30pm)

Admission to the Museum:
General: PHP 100.00
Students and senior citizens with valid ID: PHP 80.00
Special rates for student groups with prior arrangement.

Check this out for more details: OAP | The Bencab Museum Experience

Awesome Baguio Experience Series:

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Anton 
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Full Disclosure: Bencab is a friend. We are not connected with the establishment and any organization promoting it.

P.S. The next exhibit in Gallery Indigo is the solo show by Marina Cruz, wife of Rodel Tapaya, opening on April 21, 2012 @ The BenCab Museum.

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