FIVE pairs of hands gathered
around in a circle, red from competitive games of pitik bulag, tired from
rounds of clapping to “nanay, tatay, gusto ko tinapay.” Blowing bubbles and
watching them being carried by the wind, playing house and building forts with
pillows and bed sheets, swinging from trees ¬– joyful memories we all cherish from our
childhood.
At times we think everything would be better if we just never grew
up – how we’d forever enjoy the sound of laughter mingling with the humid air,
dirt being scattered by running feet.
Taym Pers is the first solo
exhibit of Cheska Sarmon, a 4th Year Fine Arts Student from the University of
San Agustin. Named after the youthful phrase children would say to pause a
game, Taym Pers explores Cheska’s own happy memories growing up in rural
Anilao, Antique.
“My work is about memories,
memories that link my past to my present,” shares 20-year-old artist. “It is a
reenactment of my past which also shows the adorable little things I used to
do.”
For her exhibit, Cheska drew inspiration from her childhood, especially her four close friends with whom she shared the wondrous times. Cheska reveals that they were endearingly called the “5 birds” back then, as they were inseparable ¬– always playing and chatting with each other. They appear as the subjects of her art – her sister blowing bubbles, their tight-knit group sitting on a sofa laughing carefree and happy.
“I used images of the people whom I shared my days back then, friends who made these moments bright, and of course images of myself which showed my joy playing and being with them,” she added.
Cheska wishes to hold on to her inner child even through adulthood. Her friends describe her as wakalan and assertive, but with a warm cheerful heart. Her effort to stay a kid-at-heart reflects in her quirky personal style, showing that she prefers jumpers and loose clothing.
“I want it to be a celebration of my childhood,” the artist shares about her first solo venture. “Na-experience mo maghampang, madusmo, damu ka realization, it’s good to remember where you’re from, where you first experienced hurt and happiness.”
The daughter of a teacher and an OFW, Cheska dedicates her exhibit to her family. She admits that before, she wasn’t sure what course she’d want to take in college. She thought of taking up Education and majoring in MAPEH, but she changed her mind, finding out about San Agustin’s Fine Arts curriculum. “Ang heart ko ara gid sa art,” muses Cheska.
“These kind of moments had
definitely added hues to my life. I want to celebrate my today’s situation by
reminiscing the youthful times I had. I am eager to show the triumph I am
feeling right now,” shares Cheska.
Taym Pers is on exhibit at the FDCP Cinematheque Iloilo,
B&C Building, Corner Iznart and Solis St. Iloilo City till March 22, 2016.
