A set of 11 sunset postcards.
Taken from February to April 2021 in San Juan, La Union by
@zeusbascon during his artist residency program in
@emergingislands .
These postcards are currently featured in a group exhibition titled "Tuloy, Tawid" at
@artgalleryofgp curated by
@kuhdelrosario and
@manar.abotouk .
Tuloy, Tawid directly translates to ‘Continue, Cross.’
When visiting Filipino households, it is not unusual to be greeted with an impassioned tuloy! upon arrival. “Tuloy po kayo” or “please come in,” denotes hospitality, coaxing those to come inside. To cross the threshold is to accept the kindness that has been extended. Tuloy denotes the beginning of a reciprocal exchange of shared intimacy.
Tawid is to cross,
over a bridge or terrain.
from one point to another,
covering ground,
reaching a destination,
overcoming distance.
The title situates the exhibition as inclusive, making way for discourse that privileges the telling of stories not often told, or not told enough. Tuloy, Tawid welcomes one to continue the crossing – to take action toward a deeper understanding.
Through the unique perspective and geographical position of each artist, Tuloy, Tawid offers an exhibition with both breadth and specificity, at once. Featuring works by artists – Zeus Bascon (Laguna, Philippines), KoloWn (Philippines), Greys Lockheart (Cebu City, Philippines), Julius Poncelet Manapul (Toronto, Canada), Marigold Santos (Calgary, Canada) and Karen Zalamea (Vancouver, Canada) – this exhibition examines the Filipino experience, entangled and layered by the diaspora.
But in the nuanced positionality of the Philippine-based artists living in Cebu and Laguna, as well as the hyphenated Canadians of Filipino ancestry, questions surface.
Where do we find commonality?
Where do our intersections occur, and at what point do we diverge?
Constantly negotiating identities within the spaces we inhabit, within implicated and fraught lands, how can we begin to call a place a home?
Tuloy, Tawid is on view until September 20, 2021.
