Artists unite to save threatened Sierra Madre
Visual artists Kat Casapao, Elaine Clemente and FM Monteverde, with curator Aba Lluch Dalena, have turned a lyrical exhibition like “Pira-pirasong Santuwaryo” at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery on Gen. Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila, into an eloquent protest against the building of a dam that will flood parts of the Sierra Madre mountain range and whole heritage towns like Pakil and Pangil in Laguna.
Casapao said the three of them were bound by delight in creating artworks related to flora and fauna. She said, “We thought of showcasing the different species that can be found in Sierra Madre. Each of us had the freedom to choose the subjects we wanted. Mine was to paint the endemic avian species, Elaine created something special by using inabel fabrics and terracotta clay, while FM featured the northern part of Sierra Madre.”
Monteverde said he could have taken on this project alone in response to the NCCA’s “Call for Exhibition Proposals.” “But I chose not to. I believe that diversity in ideas lends greater power to any endeavor. By incorporating different media, we evoke a wider range of responses and interpretations. I was fortunate to convince two remarkable artists, each prolific in their own genres, to join me in this collaborative effort.”
The three are part of Diwa Artes Kolektib, whose mission is to help save the country’s biodiversity and natural resources.
Monteverde continued, “Our goal is to weave a narrative that celebrates the beauty of this majestic mountain range through the harmonious interplay of forms, colors, lines and shapes.”
Same ecosystem
After the opening of their show, which featured a modest rally of participants calling for the halt of the dam building, Casapao felt “happy that the artworks we created somewhat captured the essence of Sierra Madre. With the rise of illegal hunting and trading of birds in Sierra Madre, it is important to remember that we’re part of the same ecosystem. A single species can’t survive when the other is absent, and vice versa. Human activities like deforestation, infrastructure programs, over-exploitation, invasive species and climate change are the main drivers of biodiversity loss and disasters like flooding and landslides.”
She added, “My subjects are Philippine endemic birds. I have showcased some that can be found in Sierra Madre, and I painted with acrylic on canvas. It is my first time to sculpt a figure of a Philippine eaglet which I made with my 10-year-old son using air-drying clay with acrylic paint.”
She painted an Agta mother and child living intimately with the mountain environment and wildlife. Another highlight is a painting of endemic birds feasting on a hagimit tree.
She researched and gathered information about the birds she painted. She realized that “these endemic birds brought me to one core belief I have in my work. The discovery of these species being endangered and on the brink of extinction saddened me as I painted. I wished for these birds to be free and have their homes, gain the respect that they need to thrive on the same planet we do.
“Humans and birds are alike. We want to be free and live in a world without the worries of climate change or the destruction of homes. I hope that people will revere the role they play in balancing our ecosystem. These birds have an essential role in the functioning of the world’s ecosystem that directly impacts our health, economy and food production.”
Urgent protection
Clemente said their project creates “a visual story of the Sierra Madre, a vital sanctuary under threat from the encroaching forces of pollution, deforestation, industrial development and climate change. This evocative exhibition created not only celebrates the rich biodiversity of the region, but also issues a clarion call for its urgent protection.”
She cited a recent “destructive flooding in areas supposed to be a safe home for our communities in western slopes of the southern portion of Sierra Madre (Rizal) due to illegal logging, mining and quarrying and the threat from the encroaching forces like a dam under construction in the southern part. An alarming extinction due to the killing of eagles prompted me to create my eagle paintings titled ‘Banoy’ and ‘Kalumbata.’”
She has a deep appreciation for indigenous craftsmanship, so she made woven textiles the core of her artistic expression. She added, “My love for these textiles, particularly the Ilocos inabel, blossomed under the mentorship of Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee Magdalena Gamayo. My pieces are characterized by the use of inabel fabric and local clay, exploring the diverse textures, colors and patterns that these materials offer. Each piece Gamayo creates testifies to her commitment to honor Filipino traditions while raising awareness about contemporary social issues.”
Indigenous communities
Monteverde, who identifies as an activist, explained that the dam being built in the southern part of the Sierra Madre affects indigenous communities such as the Dumagat-Remontado. “They are being uprooted from their ancestral lands and displaced. It’s not just their inherited land that will be submerged. A sanctuary home to endemic and endangered species is also under threat.”
Furthermore, he said, the northern part of the range appears “quiet and undisturbed. However, deep within the forest, the silence is frequently interrupted by the harsh sounds of chainsaws. This noise has become as familiar as the call of the kalaw, heard morning, noon and at dusk. Migrants and nonresidents are engaging in illegal timber extraction, buying logs from ‘carabao loggers.’”
His work centers on those northern slopes of the mountain range. He is inspired by the rich flora and fauna, and uses single-color relief prints “to capture the essence of nature in its most primal and unadulterated form. This medium’s reproducibility allows for the widespread dissemination of ideas, amplifying their impact. As these works reach a broader audience, they play a vital role in fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and contributing to conservation efforts.”
The trio hope, Monteverde said, to reach government officials who can make a change for the better. “While I acknowledge the importance of technological development and the modernization of our country, I believe that the preservation of our local wildlife and natural habitats should not be neglected. If we don’t implement policies to protect the natural environment we are blessed to have, we will lose the sustainability needed to advance as we continue to innovate technology further into the future.”
What the three ask for is this: “We should never forget our humanity. We should always remember to care for the beautiful world we have at the end of the day.”
The exhibit runs until Sept. 30. The NCCA Gallery is open Mondays-Sundays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
