by Chris Marie C. Dumasis

An artist has the gift, the capacity and the power to create something new, baffling and beautiful. The true artist-painter does not only create what he sees, but he feels, thinks, dreams and believes as well. In Negros, Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado” is one of those artists I know who could trigger the soul.

This local of Sagay started drawing and painting in high school and pursued his love for pen, ink and colors by taking up a course in Fine Arts at La Consolacion College Bacolod. Many, many years later, I stood in the middle of an ALVARADO Exhibit at the Phinma Gallery of the Negros Museum.

An artist has the gift, the capacity and the power to create something new, baffling and beautiful. The true artist-painter does not only create what he sees, but he feels, thinks, dreams and believes as well. In Negros, Nunelucio “Nune” Alvara-do” is one of those artists I know who could trigger the soul.

I love to hear stories of his eccentricities and enigmas who was once the president of the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros. Personally witnessing the way he presented his craft is such a thrill.

Nune Alvarado’s artworks show impeccable strength, angst, happiness and sorrow. They are all about balance in the spectrum of life, themed heavily on social realism and strongly rooted in the Philippine setting. I can see the underlying symbols, spiritual and emotional iconology in every art pieces exhibited which would last until February 29 at the Negros Museum.

Symbolism in paintings is partly a 19th century art movement in France as part of the 19th century movement. Art was infused with mysticism and a continuation of the “realistic approach to impressionism” reaction. It became a catalyst in the outgrowth of Romanticism’s darker side. It is a technique that uses symbols to represent an emotion, an idea or things.

Sometimes, sheer colors represent an emotion and the symbols are the ones used as an allegory to express meaning and idea. Colors used in paintings have meanings and it is used to express imagination, dreams and spirituality.

One Alvarado artwork is his self portrait “AKO”. The 4 x 5 ft. oil on canvas painting was mostly in red background with a few black shadowy dots. At the center is a serious, seems-to-be-mad-at-something figure of a man with a determined look on his face holding a scythe with his two hands. I cannot forget the veined hands and a pillar of white light present in each hand.

A scythe is a symbol of Death or the Grim Reaper but on the other hand, it is also a tool for reaping crops. The figure of man in said painting will work himself to death for his loved ones to survive. The red background depicts passion and lust. The small, shadowy black dots represent doubts, troubles and uncertainties that life brings - too infinite as to discourage us from living our lives to the fullest. Regardless of the dark night our soul faced, the figure of man in the painting will carry on and will persist being a warrior – with God’s purity, grace and gift of creation ever-present, illuminating in his hands.

And yes, a warrior is what Nunelucio Alvarado is indeed and will always be.Read more

"ALVARADO"
The Recent Works of
Nunelucio "Nune" Alvarado

The Negros Museum proudly presents “ALVARADO”, an exhibit of the recent works of Negrosanon artist Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado which will open on February 4, 2012, Saturday at 6PM at the PHINMA Main Gallery of the Negros Museum.Read more

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November 11, 2010

SWET & SWAUR, an art exhibit by Nunelucio Alvarado opens last Monday at DFA Gallery, Eastblock Square Villa Angela Subd., Bacolod City with BM Nehemias dela Cruz and Reynaldo Cardenas, Regional Director of Department of Foreign Affairs as Guest of Honor. The exhibit is ongoing till December 4, 2010.*>

MARAÑON: A FILM ON NEGROS DAY

By Danny B. Dangcalan

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. wants a film done about Cinco de Noviembre (Negros Day) to tell the world that the first bloodless revolution happened in Negros Occidental 112 years ago. Read more

November 4, 2010

Seven Negrense artists, five taxpayers, and five corporations will be honored during the Pasidungog Ceremony of the 112th Cinco de Noviembre anniversary tomorrow, 4 p.m., at the Provincial Capitol grounds in this City.

The outstanding Negrense artists are Cecile Sicangco Ibarrola for dance, Joel Torre - theater, Ronnie Lazaro - cinema, Ramiro Garcia - architecture and allied arts, Gilopez Kabayao - music, Rolando Espina - literature (journalism), and Nunelucio Alvarado - visual arts. Five outstanding individual taxpayers will also be honored.Read more

October 14, 2010

A different view in the eye of a cubist artist, Arthur Bayles is presented on his 3rd One-Man Show entitled, “Eyescube” on October 15-November 15 at Villa G Cafe & Gallery, Villa Geronca Bldg., located at 90 Rosario St. Bacolod City.

Presented and managed by Syano Artlink, the opening ceremony of the art exhibit will be on Wednesday, Oct 15, 6pm at Villa G Cafe & Gallery with Councilor Jocelle Batapa- Sigue and Atty. JV Hinlo as guests of honor.Read more

October 13, 2010

Kyle, Phil, Lourdes, Zoe Ratcliffe, RANI Ambassador Ed Garcia & Nunelucio Alvarado (l-r) cutting the ribbon for "Katahum" Art exhibit ongoing in East Block Square.Read more

September 10, 2010

By Edgar Cadagat

Various activities are being planned on the day before and after the declaration of martial law by the then authoritarian government of President Ferdinand Marcos, whose highlights will be the commemoration of the Escalante massacre and coordinated protest actions in cities and towns of Negros Occidental and Oriental, leaders of human rights organizations declared in a press conference yesterday at the Negros Press Club (NPC). Read more

DAGIT

MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: 6 1/2 X 4 1/2 FEET
2000

Status: Sold