Dumaguete artist Kristoffer Ardeña showcased the humble retaso (scraps) rugs of the Philippines in his artwork for Art Dubai 2019.
Ardeña’s works were presented by Cebu-based 856G Gallery – a first-time participant and the only gallery from the Philippines to join the leading world art fair.
Kristoffer Ardeña used retaso rugs as his medium and inspiration, giving the spotlight to Filipino ingenuity of the product which is used by ordinary Filipino households.
The retaso rug, made of excess or fabric scraps collected and turned into colorful rugs, is sold in Philippine markets and by street or sidewalk traders.
With the use of tarpaulin material, Ardeña created “ghost painting” artworks showing similar patterns to the retaso rugs. with Intentional cracks revealing printed images underneath.
Ardeña writes about his “JOLOGS” Booth A3 presentation: “In this painting I collaborated with industrial designer Clark Mendoza on his ASEAN award-winning furniture design called Rolyo in recycled fabrics. In this series, both the act and the materiality of painting is questioned and challenged. I use acrylic emulsion as paint rendering itself invisible when it is absorbed by the very fabric in which it is executed on. What you see is the mere structure in which the painting is applied onto, in this case, that of Mendoza’s pouf made of the retaso rugs.”
Ghost Painting (Invisible Category): Rolyo Pouf (version #1)
Kristoffer Ardeña in collaboration with Clark Mendoza
Painting + low seat furniture
Medium: acrylic emulsion on retaso rugs
3 pieces (8 rugs per roll) (rug: 35x56x1.5 cms) (roll: 18×30 cms diameter)
2019
Kristoffer Ardeña at 856G Gallery presentations were seen at the 2019 edition of Art Dubai which ran from March 20 to 23 at Madinat Jumeirah and showcased artworks from South America, Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.
If you use the retaso rug tell us in the comment section below what you think of its international art debut by Kristoffer Ardeña and 856G Gallery!
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