The UP Visayas Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) has recently expanded its art collection by acquiring two paintings and accepting a sculpture donation from award-winning Ilonggo artists.
The paintings titled “Baon” (2022, oil on canvas, 45.72×60.96cm), and “Togetherness II” (2022, mixed media on canvas, 35.56×60.96cm) by Noel Elicana and Richard de la Cruz respectively, have been on display at the Lubiok Hiligaynon Art exhibit in the Taliambong UPV Art Gallery of the Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage (UPV MACH). The paintings that have been loaned by the artists were purchased using the UPV Art Gallery/OICA trust funds.
Elicana, from Jaro, won the Grand Prize in the Vision Petron National Student Art Competition in 2013 and the Grand Prize in the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Competition Oil/Acrylic Category in 2018. He completed the Linangan Art Residency program in 2020.
De la Cruz, on the other hand, hails from Oton and has been a four-time Finalist in the MADE Competition, a Finalist in the Art Petron National Art Competition, and a two-time Finalist in the Philippine Art Awards Regional and National Competition.
The sculpture titled “Color Me Red” (2024, welded stainless sheets, 30×25.5×48.5cm) by Roland Llarena was turned over by the artist to OICA Director Martin Genodepa after formalizing the gift through the signing of the deed of donation on 19 April 2024. The sculpture is now displayed in Taliambong UPV Art Gallery.
Llarena, is a native of Miagao, Iloilo. He won a Special Citation at the MADE Competition in 2018 and a semi-finalist in the same competition in 2022. He participated in the Linangan Art Residency Program in 2021.
