Online Viewing Room #2

The Rubber Cut Print – Elordie Mesac – Roderick Pelenia

Similar to linoleum or woodcut, a rubber cut is created when the artist carves his image and then prints the reverse image using a press or even rubbing by hand.  The rubber used is softer than linoleum and breaks down faster and therefore fewer prints can be produced.

After printing a small edition of prints, the artist hand paints the original rubber cut and presents it as a work of art. I have never seen this done before I saw the works done by these Palawano artists.

Indigenous to Palawan, Mesac and Pelenia come from the Tagbanua tribe in central Palawan. Both were born in Aborlan and are known for a rubber cut printing process they learned when attending the Aborlan Arts Program. They formed an artist group called SARAGPUNTA and have continued winning numerous prizes and awards.

Mesac says he wants to explain the traditions of his tribe and preserve Tagbanua culture through his artworks. He hopes that his art will revitalize his culture and traditions, awaken the ‘sleeping thoughts’ of the youth and give hope to all the indigenous peoples.

ELORDIE MESAC

Elordie Talbo Mesac was born November 22/83 in Apurawan, Aborlan, Palawan.

An accomplished printmaker, Mesac produces large ‘rubber cuts’ and prints editions and exhibits the original cuts. He also produces sculptures.

Indigenous to Palawan, Mesac comes from the Tagbanua tribe in central Palawan. He studied at Isaub High School and then attended the Aborlan Arts Program  (founded by Director Charles Wandag and US Peace Corps volunteer Megan Barilla).

Mesac graduated in 2001 and joined different exhibits, seminars, workshops and contests with his group, the SARAGPUNTA winning numerous prizes and awards.

Mesac is a member of Art on the Move, Aborlan Arts Program, Saragpunta Group and the Collective Arts for the Environment (CAFE). He has participated in one-person and group exhibitions since 2000 and won many awards.

“I have a great love for our culture, nature, and art. I want good to spread over the world and over the hearts and minds of all people – most of all to our youth.

“I want to explain the traditions of my tribe. I’d like to revitalize our culture and traditions, to awaken our youth, to share my thoughts, to set us free from all agony, to give hope to all the indigenous peoples, to awaken the sleeping thoughts and strengthen these things using my art”. Elordie Mesac

RODERICK PELENIA 

Pelenia was born in 1982 in Poblacion Aborlan, Palawan. His mother came from Lapu Lapu City, Cebu and his father from Bohol. Roderick went to school in Aborlan and is indigenous to Palawan and attended the Aborlan Arts Program and was part of the SARAGPUNTA group of artists.