The much-touted Iloilo Art Book is anticipated for release this February as a highlight of Iloilo City’s National Arts Month celebration.

Art in the Heart of the Philippines

The 200-page thick material adopted the mantra: “Art in the Heart of the Philippines,” which evokes Iloilo’s georaphical location at the heart of the archipelago and where art is alive and flourishing.

As the City of Love, Art in the Heart of the Philippines hints at the Ilonggos’ love and affinity for art, which is translated through support for art initiatives, patronage, and acquisition of art works.

Art in the Heart of the Philippines also conveys the well-balanced character of the Ilonggos—peace-loving and soft-spoken yet firm, confident, and with gentle assertiveness—and this too manifests in various forms of art by Ilonggo art makers.

Read this year’s #NAM2023 theme here: National Arts Month 2023 celebrates Filipino artistic excellence

The mantra now conjugates the notion that Iloilo has the heart and soul for the arts, bolstered by the endearing words popularized by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in his message during the opening of the Iloilo Arts Festival in October 2022 that “art is the soul of Iloilo City.”

Hence, his administration will consistently support art endeavors and develop programs that will uplift the art sector.

The Iloilo Art Book is among those efforts, apart from funds supporting the Iloilo Arts Council, expanding public murals to instigate public interaction and raise awareness on art, art residency support for artists, and other related initiatives.

The book cover features “Abundance”

An initial number of 1,000 copies of the book is up for release.

The book cover features the work by one of Iloilo’s renowned impressionist oil painters, Gerundio Buendia, Jr., entitled Abundance.

It epitomizes the value of hard work, simple family life, and a sense of community, and it emphasizes the unique character of Ilonggo women, showing a happy disposition in the midst of daily work in the countryside.

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The Iloilo Art Book is like an art exhibit by itself, and it will show carefully selected art pieces submitted by artists. As such, it also functions like a catalog, featuring around 200 artworks by 180 local artists from 13 art groups in Iloilo.

It is rich with text, historical notes, and messages by dignitaries, and accompanied by colorful images that show Ilonggo art, artists, and art spaces.

The Iloilo Art Book is a collaborative project

The Iloilo Art Book is considered another first for the Iloilo City government. It’s an attempt to chronicle the events that shaped the development of the local visual arts sector for over a decade. Its content initially covered the period 2021–2022, although the concept was developed and deliberated during the pre-pandemic period.

It is also envisioned that through the Iloilo Art Book, documentation and cataloging of local art and artists will become a regular effort that will be integrated into all art endeavors.

The publication of the book is a collaborative project between the Iloilo City Government and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement on January 4 for funding support.

The project team is led by Iloilo City First Lady Rosalie Treñas as the Executive Project Director; Leny Ledesma, Project Manager; Frannie Golez of Obra Ilonggo as the Creative Director; and Vic Nabor representing the artist group Himbon.

Apart from the chief executive, the local government is represented by the city administrator, Melchor Tan; Iloilo City Councilor Miguel Treñas; and the special assistant to the mayor, Mathilde Treñas.