PH Embassy in London to Unveil Portraits of Every Day Filipinos

LONDON 31 October 2018 — The Philippine Embassy in London will host Liwanag, a solo exhibition of Filipino-Spanish artist Maria Mari Murga at the chancery from 16 to 30 October 2018.  

Ms. Murga is known for her dramatic and realistic portraits. Liwanag will be her second solo exhibition at the Embassy following her first exhibit in 2014, Allegory of a Philippine Gaze.

The exhibit opened on 16 October 2018 with a reception and private viewing.  It will officially be open to the public until the end of October.

“The Philippine Embassy regularly hosts exhibitions by Filipino artists,” said Ambassador to United Kingdom Antonio M. Lagdameo. “Art is one of the most powerful ways by which we are able to ignite meaningful discussions about Philippine culture.”

The artist’s featured works in Liwanag draw inspiration from one of her recent trips to the Philippines, which she considers not only a journey of self-discovery but a thorough exploration of her Philippines roots, particularly her Zamboangueña heritage. The portraits featured during the exhibit are snapshots of the everyday lives of Filipinos from Luzon to Mindanao.

For her second solo exhibition, Ms. Murga collaborated with the Rene Demafeliz Atelier, a team of bespoke woodcarvers based in Zamboanga City. The woodcarvers created a series of expertly carved gmelina wooden frames for her portraits. 

The motifs on the frames are reminiscent of symbols commonly used in the sacred spaces of Zamboanga, Basilan, Tawi-tawi, and Jolo.

Ms. Murga lives and creates her art from her studio in Hampstead, London. Having been rigorously trained by the Italian masters in Florence, Italy, her works capture contemporary life through classical renaissance techniques.

The artist’s works have made the rounds internationally, in countries such as Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Philippines.  She has also been recognized by The Royal Society of British Artists, the De Laszlo Foundation, and the Pastel Society UK, among others. END

For more information, visit www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/pg/PHLinUK and @philippinesinuk on Twitter.

Maria Mari Murga draws inspiration from the Philippines for many of her masterpieces.

Indigenous children spearfishing at Dibut Bay, Aurora Province. Work by Maria Mari Murga

The bath in Taluksangay, Zamboanga Province. Work by Maria Mari Murga

Coconut dehusker in Baler, Aurora. Work by Maria Mari Murga