Last August 24, 2017 launched the one of a kind exhibit that will change the perspective of any art enthusiast . Because this time Ina does her kind of art that shows her family's business giving and making it a precious to her walk as an individual since childhood. Her passion on art mixed with their reason for living makes it more than a story to ponder upon.
Among the
young, up-and-coming visual artists today, UP Fine Arts graduate Ina Jardiolin
stands out among her peers with her powerful artistic voice and her use of a
most unusual medium: leather. A very challenging
material on which she expresses herself, Ina—whose family hails from the local
footwear industry—utilizes this medium with much dexterity, notably a result of
careful experimentation, a singular vision, and an innovative approach to her craft.
In her second
solo show, titled “Stretch(ed) Mark(ed)”, Ina harnessed discarded treated leather
scraps as her canvas—delving into self-identity and the intangible, fleshing
out the beauty in androgyny, while touching on the realities of life.
Ina uses her
art as a means to communicate, and to those like her who are introspective, and
at times misunderstood, she aims to reach out, to make it known that they are
not alone and that they need not feel confused. Ina’s goal is to convey a
message of empowerment and of hope.
Way before
gender issues became the subject of sometimes-heated exchange of perspectives,
Ina has been scrutinizing the controversy in her mind and consequently, in her
artwork. “My art is my own reaction to
identity and the cultural expectations regarding gender,” Ina explains. “I want
the world to be more open to different ideas that veer away from usual norms.”
In
“Stretch(ed) Mark(ed),” the young artist probes into the scars that gender
roles impose among us, how these obstructive assignments often mark each of us
permanently. The intricately cobbled
leather scraps signify how these gender norms sometimes leave individuals
grasping at pieces of their genuine identity to gain a sense of individuality
and acceptance.
The
controversial message is consistently conveyed in the androgynous subjects of
her paintings, inviting viewers to embrace both male and female energies, to
take a genuine look at one’s self and to be true to that vision.
Apart
from mounted paintings using leather scraps, Ina will once again display art
pieces using wooden shoe lasts (referred to as ‘hulma’ by local shoemakers) in her upcoming exhibit. She is the first
artist to make use of this vintage shoe-making implement as a ‘canvas’.
The use of both
leather and shoe lasts pays homage to her family’s background as Marikina
shoemakers. Transforming the shoe lasts into art pieces is a gesture that honors
her ancestors whose labors nurtured both the family and helped build the local
shoe industry. Leather, a pliant and resilient material, epitomizes the spirit
that her family has stood by for generations.
Utilizing
non-conventional medium is her way of stepping outside the lines to convey
her message:
“Everything—and everyone—should not be restricted by
a set of roles made by those who are comfortable staying within the bounds of
what is “normal” and acceptable”.
Her
art, which includes printmaking, ceramics and illustration, is one that
constantly evolves and is in constant flux, much like the fluidity of gender.
Ultimately,
Ina Jardiolin sees her art as giving a voice to others who cannot otherwise
express themselves, taking up their cudgels and, in the process, gaining a
deeper understanding of herself.
Prepare to be enlightened by Ina’s masterpieces at Stretch(ed)
Mark(ed), which runs from September
10 to 25, 2017 at Kaida Contemporary, #45 Scout Madrinan, South Triangle,
Quezon City.
