In celebration of Filipino Heritage Month, the L.H. Horton Art Gallery is exhibiting art from nine different artists in its newest exhibit, Contemporary Filipino American Art.
The opening of the exhibit was preceded by an award ceremony hosted by the Stockton Chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), which honored several Filipino Americans, including Delta College Counselor Debra Louie, for contributions to the community.
“I believe it’s important to bring cultural awareness to the campus as a whole,” said Gallery Coordinator Jan Marlese, who curated the exhibition.
For Marlese, this exhibition is part of a larger goal of exhibiting different cultural and ethnic groups an ability to express themselves through art. In 2013, she hosted an exhibition on themes of black identity, and has continued to host shows focusing on cultural and racial identity.
The exhibition features a diverse array of artwork and mediums, including paintings, photography, sculptures and filmed performances. There will also be a live dance performance on Oct. 22 by Kim Requesto on the President’s Patio outside the Horton Administration Building.
“I believe art is special because it can integrate with different ideas and subjects in multifaceted ways,” said Marlese.
For the artists, portraying cultural heritage allows for the smaller cultural signifiers to take center stage.
“The iconic golden Manila Envelope in Boekelmann’s work is an invitation to unearth and visually articulate the complexity of home,” reads Mic Dino Boekelmann’s artist statement. The mundane Manila Envelope that is a staple of every office is transformed into a dress, demonstrating the complex history that such a simple object may have.
The Contemporary Filipino American Art exhibit will run from Oct. 13 through Nov. 10. Admissions to the L.H. Horton Gallery is free.
