Michael Bacol
Artist Statement:
As a struggling artist in a third world country, I am exposed to extreme poverty and hardship in the day-to-day lives of my countrymen. From street children to mothers bearing infants begging in the middle of the streets, to cripples and incapacitated taking up their permanent begging stations outside the church doors, these are the daily realities which confront all of us here in my small city. But I am not sure if people actually “see” these realities and “feel” for this, or if these remains “unseen” and are taken for granted as everyone has his or her own problem to deal with.
This is the reality that I usually depict in my artworks. In some of my works, however, despite the extreme poverty that I am able to convey, I sometimes inject a mood of lightness, cheerfulness and hope in the faces of these subjects in the mundane and simple activities that they perform.
As the whole world is aware, the Philippines is a poor nation. Our economy is in shambles and the poor are getting poorer everyday. The majority of its citizens being Catholics, this is the very foundation of its people’s strength- thru prayers in the hope that life will get better, sooner or later. Thus, some of my works likewise infuse both poverty
and religion, in an effort to capture this essence of life in my city.
Michael E. Bacol
(a.k.a. Michael Bacol-Lagos)
2005-2006
Grant Recipient - Asian Cultural Council (ACC)
*Artist-in-Residence, Headlands Center for the Arts (HCA),
San Francisco/Sausalito, USA
*Artist-in-Residence, International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP)
New York City, USA
2003-2005
Semifinalist -
Annual Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence Competition (MADE)
2003
Selected Exhibitor for National Exhibition –
National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
2001
Finalist – Young Painters Annual Competition, Metrobank
ORGANIZATION: Oro Art Guild Inc.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2006
“Open Studio” ISCP, New York, USA
“Mugna” Xavier University Museum, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
2005
“Open Studio” Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito, USA
“MADE” Metrobank National Exhibit, Manila, Philippines
“Drawing 2” Sibay Creative Space, Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
2004
“Fragments” SM City Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
“Sungdu-an 3” National Travelling Exhibition, Philippines
“MADE” Metrobank National Exhibit, Philippines
2003
“Buklod” Kulay Diwa Galleries, Paranaque, Philippines
“Artpeace” Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga, Philippines
“Duha” Linya Gallery, Iligan, Philippines
“Bayaning Lokal” SM City Mall, CDO, Philippines
“Sungdu-an 3” Gaisano City Mall, CDO, Philippines
“Young Painters Annual” Metrobank National Exhibit, Manila
“Sinalud” SM City Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
2002
“Panghitabo 1” Surrounded By Water Gallery, Cubao, Philippines
“Panghitabo 2” Kulay Diwa Galleries, Paranaque, Philippines
“Recent Works 4” Kulay Diwa Galleries, Paranaque, Philippines
“Panit Bukog 3” Linya Gallery and Xavier University, Philippines
2001
“Panit Bukog 2” Travelling exhibit, CDO, Iligan and Davao City
“Young Painters Annual” Metrobank, Manila, Philippines
“Pagtimbayayong” Limketkai Mall, Philippines
2000
“Eco Village Art Exhibit” Malasag, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
“Panit Bukog 1” Consuelo Steak House, Cag. de Oro, Philippines
1999
“Different Strokes” Dynasty Court Hotel, Cag. de oro, Philippines
“Cagayan sa Among Panan-aw’ SIT, Cag. de Oro City, Philippines
WORK EXPERIENCE:
1997 to Present:
Full-time Artist, Illustrator, Independent Art Teacher
2002 to present:
Art Instructor - Summer Art Class
Xavier University Museum,
Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines 9000
St. Francis Elementary School
Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines 9000
1997-98:
Draftsman – Golden Engineering Services,
Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines 9000
REFERENCES:
Ralph Samuelson
Director – Asian Cultural Council (ACC) NY
437 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022-7001
Tel: (212)812-4300
Bobi Valenzuela
Independent Curator
21 B.Hernandez St.
BF Homes Paranaque City 1720
Manila Philippines
Tel: (63)825-4481
Christopher Rollo
Head—Committee on Visual Arts
National Commission Culture in the Arts
Intramuros, Manila Philippines
Cell 639204484196
Nonoy Estarte
Asst. Curator, Xavier Museum
Xavier University
Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City
Philippines 9000
Cell 639177336770
