Naked Truth
| SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN |
APRIL
28, 1999
|
BY SARAH COLEMAN
Though we
live on the Pacific Rim, opportunities to see contemporary Asian art in
the Bay Area come less frequently than they should. 
To
this end Oakland's innovative Pacific Bridge gallery opened a year ago
with the specific mission of bringing cutting-edge Asian art to the Bay
Area. Cofounders Geoff Dorn and Beth Gates are artists who lived and Worked
in Southeast Asia for a number of years, and their knowledge of the terrain
is impressive. Previously they've brought exhibits of Vietnamese art to
the gallery; the current exhibit showcases six artists from tile Philippines,
some of whom were featured in last year's show of Filipino art at the
Asian Art Museum. In tune With their country's history of being colonized,
man), of the artists here create layered or collaged works. In Mark JustinianiÕs
colorful plastic-based panels and Noel Cuizon's delicate paintings overlaid
with image-strewn acetate transparencies, American symbols mingle with
Filipino folk heroes and religious icons. In contrast, Elmer Borlongan's
monochrome life studies of the urban poor capture their subjects' dignity
without setting one's teeth on edge, while in Karen Flores's quasi-surreal
works, figures dressed gorgeously in Philippine colonial costumes dream,
dance, and give birth in an imaginary, symbol-laden space. Cultural references
might at times evade a Westerner, but the work is intriguing nonetheless;
in all, this well curated show offers considerable insight into a vibrant
island nation.
CLICK HERE FOR "New Stories from an Old Chapter"
Pacific Bridge Contemporary Southeast Asian Art, 95 Linden Street #6, Oakland CA 94607
Tel. (510) 45I - 8840 Fax. (510) 45I - 8806 email. pacificbridge@asianartnow.com
Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11 am - 6 pm.