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Israel is described as the
Promised Land “flowing with milk and honey” but it is definitely
far more than that. It is also a land of wheat and barley, vines,
fig trees, pomegranates and olive trees. It is the land of the
Bible, the Holy Land and the Center of Pilgrimages. It is the
tiniest country in the world yet the richest in history. I can never
imagine what more will I discover about Israel in the years to come.
In 1988, I was
pleasantly surprised to learn that I was invited by the State of
Israel to be an artist-in-residence at the Mishkenot Sha-anamin.
This was a haven for visiting literary, performing and/or visual
artists wishing to practice their art in Israel. It is wonderfully
located in front of the Old City of Jerusalem, where art and culture
bloom everyday.
My fascination
with the Holy Land culminated when I finally saw Jerusalem with my
own eyes, a meeting place of the human and the Divine, a repository
of eternal hope and a fortress against time. This city of contrast
and conflicts continues to renew even those who have lived there all
their lives. It is an enigmatic sacred city associated with major
personalities from the three major religions (Christianity, Judaism,
Islam): Adam, Abraham, David, Solomon, Jesus and Mohammed to new a
few.
During my
first few nights, I had trouble sleeping due to an overpowering
force compelling me to draw and paint continually my impressions
about this historical country, not only visual ones but also their
way of life, customs and traditions. I was particularly fascinated
with the Old City of Jerusalem and decided to make it as my main
focus. Overwhelmed by surging inspiration, I worked relentlessly
until I could no longer walk freely in my studio due to the sheer
volume of artworks created.
Collectively,
this body of artworks I created during my residency was exhibited at
the Harry Steele Cultural Center at Kiriat Ono near Tel-Aviv. The
exhibit was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel
and the Philippine Embassy under the late Ambassador Etta Enriquez
and the then Consul Belen Anota, who is now our Ambassador to
Singapore.
This year, we
will be celebrating the 50th year of the establishment of the
Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Israel. To
celebrate this golden event, the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv is
preparing a series of activities that will showcase Philippine Art
and culture at its finest.
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