by Gale Hermano Dy
This year, ten emerging Filipino visual artists united together to form USAP (Ugnayang Sining at Pamana) Collective, the newest Filipino-Australian visual arts group in South Australia. On August 5, the USAP Collective was officially launched via their first art exhibition called “Paghahabi: Weaving Social Fabric of Human Connection” as part of the South Australia Living Artists (SALA) Festival annually celebrated in the state.
The “Paghahabi” exhibition aims to weave stories of human experiences while balancing the tension of acculturation. Through their artworks, the artists explore the human process by which they adopt values, customs, norms, attitudes, and behaviours of Australian culture whilst remaining attuned to their Filipino ethnicity.
“USAP Collective is a space of vulnerability, support and connection for Filipino creatives and Australians of Filipino descent. We are an artist and maker-led platform aiming to empower creatives and encourage discourse and representation of Philippine art in Australia”, Michelle Kenney, lead founder, said in her opening remarks.
The opening program began with a “saronay”, a Filipino ethnic musical performance by Clai Pasion, followed by an indigenous land acknowledgment by Shine Mausisa. Michelle Kenney introduced the collective purpose and vision and Lourdes Duenas- Blinco shared a poetic piece about “Paghahabi” with English translation. Atty. Mark Robert Dy then introduced the exhibiting artists and USAP Collective co-founders: Althier Alianza, Zee Cubillas Lourdes Duenas-Blinco, Gale Dy, Michelle Gonzales Kenney, Kimche Linpahan, Zanine Malaguit, Shine Eisin Mausia, Claire Pasion and Ivan Padilla. It was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and concluded with a cake cutting to unveil the official USAP Collective logo, designed by Althier Alianza.
Guests engaged with the artworks and artists and opened dialogues on migration and creative expression. Among the attendees was established artist, Mark Valenzuela, SALA 2022 featured artist of the year. He encouraged artists and shared his personal artistic pursuits and insights on acculturation.
The exhibition was made possible by community collaboration and partnership with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and MYGREAT VISA (Visa International Services Australia) Pty Ltd. Both share the USAP Collective goal of bringing cultures together through art.
Carlito Guarin, one of the guest artists who travelled from Booborowie, a two-hour drive from Adelaide, commended the group for empowering emerging artists and creating an avenue of support and connection. “The exhibition fostered unity, appreciation for diversity, and the power of art in bridging gaps between people," he added.
"Paghahabi" runs up to the 31st of August at Parks Library, 46 Trafford St, Angle Park SA.
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