Yuchengco Museum: Origins & Translations

The exhibit Origins & Translations: Philippine Textile Patterns & Motifs at the Yuchengco Museum displayed a fine sampling of traditional, local and indigenous pieces sourced from collections of the country’s top-of-mind, as well as budding, designers and artists.   

Tradition has always been the wellspring of inspiration for present day creative minds.  For fashion designers and artists, art motifs and patterns from local tribes and ethnic groups are rich with color and texture, as well as a story of people and their culture.  

Costume sketches by Gino Gonzales

A belief system of tribal groups emerges in these patterns and motifs.  When applied through textile and adornments, furniture and furnishings, these belief system is strengthened and handed down to the next generations.   In this case, it provides concepts to the modern artist.

Detail of silk barong created by Jeannie Goulbourn's Silk Cocoon

Origins & Translations is a collection of original textiles and clothing, and a selection of inspired contemporary creations, retranslations, and reinterpretations from contemporary artists that continue to celebrate, explore, and reflect the country’s rich indigenous culture thought its use of fabric and such material.

Ivi Avellana-Cosio at Origins & Translations

Taking part in the Origins &Translations exhibit is Philippine artist Ivi Avellana-Cosio.   As painter, printmaker and photographer, the artist started dabbling in indigenous forms in the mid-1980s. 

Describing her works as contemporary paintings based on tribal art, Avellana-Cosio bridges past, present and future to create them.  “The works are inspired heavily by the tribes: their patterns, tattoos, colors, breastwork, jewelry, weapons, shoes, etc., but, because I live in contemporary times, when I use them, they become contemporary,” says the artist. 

Of the country’s local history, she says, “The material is rich. This exhibit barely skims the surface of Filipino ethnic art.”  Asked how the country can develop global interest in local art, Avellana-Cosio replies, “I don’t know what the stand of government is.  I think they prefer bringing people in to the beaches, or do medical tourism. I don’t seem to read anything about culture.”