Harvest by John Ray Parreño
Harvest is an installation work by John Ray Parreño at the Thrive Art Gallery’s exhibition Where the Tides Flow.
The terracotta-tiled salt bed alludes to the history of Atria Park District, once an open area of salt beds and which memorialized the contribution of Donato Pison Sr., who led on four industries: fish, rice, sugar, and salt.
The work Harvest shows layers of memory and the physical transformation of this area of Iloilo City.
The tiles, baked by the sun and time, mirror the salt’s crystalline essence. Salt, once extracted from the sea, now rests beneath our feet—a relic of labor and sustenance. It is more than a condiment; it is a flavor of resilience, the seasoning of survival. As the area evolves, so does its narrative.
The salt bed, once submerged, now yields to progress and prosperity. The salt bed becomes a canvas for growth, a testament to the human spirit’s ability to adapt and thrive. The “pillar of salt” also embodies both resilience and progress. In this quiet expanse, we honor Donato Pison’s legacy—a man who shaped the land, leaving behind a mosaic of stories etched into the earth. The terracotta tiles, like chapters in a book, tell of salt, sweat, and dreams realized.
The Terracota Salt Beds invite us to contemplate our own journey—how we, too, leave imprints on the landscape and how our endeavors ripple through time. As the sun warms these pillars, may we find inspiration in the layers beneath, and may progress always walk hand in hand with remembrance.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰
The exhibition traces the participating artists’ memories of the evolution of Iloilo’s new commercial business district (San Rafael-Tabucan area) as a testament to the ever-evolving nature of land use, its effect on people, and eventually the history of a place.
The exhibition hopes to combine elements of collective memory and materiality through artworks that bridge the past and present, showcasing the transformation of the place while honoring its roots.
About Thrive Art Gallery
Thrive Art Gallery is an experimental art space dedicated to organizing exhibitions, workshops, and community-engaged activities located at The Shops at Atria, Ayala Malls in Iloilo City.
Gallery hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 3 PM – 8 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 12 PM – 8 PM
For more information and inquiries:
thriveartorg@gmail.com
+639171746766