Exploring Migrant Art

By Aileen Alonzo-Hayward

Guhit Kulay shines a light on migrant art and nurtures creativity, while Sinag Art Space provides a place for inspiration and expression to flourish

Guhit Kulay

………………………………………………..

GUHIT KULAY'S STORY began back in 2017, when five like-minded friends – Cris Cayat, Cecil Eduarte, Ruby Timtim, Lou Bella Sasutil and Noemi Manguerra – spotted a group of artists spray painting a beautiful mural on a wall in Hong Kong (they later discovered the group were part of HKWALLS – a non-profit organisation for street and graffiti artists).

Inspired by what they saw, the friends vowed to establish their own collective, showcasing the artwork of migrant workers in the city.

A glance at Guhit Kulay’s Facebook page today reveals a treasure trove of amazing artwork; from paintings to upcycling, from weaving to photography, the diversity of talent on display is immediately clear, showing just how far the community group have come in a few short years. 

The group’s name derives from two distinct Filipino words, Guhit – which can mean a line, strokes, or in this context, to draw – and Kulay, meaning colour. Placed together, Guhit Kulay literally means, “to draw in colour”.

Joining our Zoom call, I’m initially greeted with a warm smile by Lyn Lopez, current president of the group. “Through Guhit Kulay, we want to help fellow migrants find inspiration,” she tells me.

“Sometimes we forget to pursue their talents because of the workload most of us have here in Hong Kong, [but] at Guhit Kulay, we encourage creativity and help them get a sense of accomplishment by creating art.” - Lyn Lopez, Guhit Kulay President

We are shortly joined on the call by Guhit Kulay artist Maria Christina Anire – known to her friends as Marichris – who introduces herself with a similarly engaging smile. Behind her is a striking portrait of what looks like a medical worker in a mask. “That painting is my entry for a book anthology series, in collaboration with other community groups and artists,” she explains. “It is a portrait of a front liner praying; the name of this painting is Dalangin, meaning pray.”

During the pandemic, groups like Guhit Kulay have proven to be a refuge for many of their members. According to rtor.org, a non-profit organization that promotes mental wellbeing, “Art therapy improves the mental health of people who are dealing with addictions, anxiety, attention disorders, grief and loss, dementia, depression, eating disorders, physical illness, PTSD, trauma, relationship issues, and much more.”

Since one of the main goals for Guhit Kulay is the process of making art – as opposed to the final piece itself – creating art for the sake of your mental and emotional health is not about becoming a great artist, but about finding your purpose and motivation in life. All you need is to be open to the experience.

So what advice do Lyn and Marichris have for budding artists? ”Don’t be afraid to try,” says Lyn. “Just pick up a pen, pencil or paintbrush and start creating. Be inspired by everything around you.” Marichris supplements, “[When making art] don’t compare yourself to others. Use the mistakes to improve on your art.”  These words of encouragement are a fitting summary of Guhit Kulay’s inclusive and creative roots – roots which continue to spread and draw nourishment from all aspects of life in Hong Kong. 

Sinag Art Space

………………………………………………..

HAVING SPENT THE majority of her life as a performer, Vianee Fernie has seen her journey as an artist continually grow and evolve. From a young age, her love of music led to a career as a singer and musician, something that became not only a job, but a passion, as she moved progressively towards writing her own material – establishing her own band Dark Himaya alongside Pangyao co-founder Aileen Alonzo-Hayward in 2013 (a band that Vianee continues to front today).  

Fast forward to 2021, Vianee found her calling in another artistic pursuit, finishing her Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)/Hong Kong Arts School. For her graduation, her seminal work Fragmented Harmony was displayed at the Pao Gallery in the Hong Kong Arts Centre, alongside the work of her graduate peers. “My concept was based on memories of my childhood back in the Philippines,” Vianee shares.

The work is comprised of two parts: firstly, the sculpture, named Fragmented Hum, takes the form of a shelter, that speaks of home, community, and protection. It takes the Filipino concept of Bayanihan, which refers to the spirit of communal unity. You can hear a low-level hum emanating from the shelter, which incorporates elements of Charlie Smalls’ evocative and nostalgic song Home, from the 1970s musical The Wiz.

Second is the performance element, Fragmented Harmony, in which Vianee uses her body to communicate a sense of isolation, introspection and continuous movement, winding her way through, under and around the shelter, forever searching for a sense of belonging. 

For migrants, that sense of belonging can sometimes prove elusive. Having spent more than half her life in Hong Kong, Vianee herself is

still actively seeking common ideals within her community. Her mum Tess previously worked as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in HK; during that time, she sent dozens of handwritten letters back to the family. 

Having recently rediscovered the letters, Vianee has since incorporated them into her own art: “Mama used to write us letters back when she was an OFW. They really captured the emotions and whatever family struggles we had at that time; I am so glad we kept them,” she says.

“Mama used to write us letters back when she was an OFW. They really captured the emotions and whatever family struggles we had at that time; I am so glad we kept them” - Vianee Fernie, Founder of Sinag Art Space

Vianee opened Sinag Art Space on Lamma Island in 2019, with the goal of creating a venue for like-minded artists to create and be inspired. The multi-purpose space is used for hosting art exhibits and classes, life drawing sessions, private music events, poetry lessons, and more.

Throughout the pandemic, she has managed to keep things running smoothly, though what with managing the studio on her own, government restrictions limiting capacity, and trying to entice more students, it hasn’t always been easy. However, despite these challenges, her husband Ivan – who has been fully supportive of her enterprise since the beginning – is always there to offer a friendly word of support and encouragement.

“Art is a never-ending learning process. Walang katapusang pag-aaral,” shares Vianee. “You need to be open to learning and take time to practice your craft. Criticisms cannot be avoided, but still do your due diligence.”

Very recently, a major family event in Vianee’s life has also caused a fundamental shift in her thinking, causing her to reevaluate her perspective on life. She offers these parting words, “Enjoy life. We don’t know what is behind every second, every hour, every tomorrow. Hindi natin alam anong mangyayari bukas, so we have to learn how to live and love each passing moment.”