If wearable art has gained traction, hand-painted art in a souvenir item like a miniature boat or locally known as paraw deserves the same attention. What’s even more amazing to note that subjects are Pinay given tribute in coinciding with Women’s month this March.
SM City Sta. Mesa formerly SM Centerpoint is presenting the work of OFW Nurse-turned-visual artist Rommel Rico aka Virrco in a month-long art exhibit at the activity area 4th floor of the rebranded mall with the title ‘Pinay’ for the month of March. From wearable art, the artist has turned to souvenir pieces for value-added merchandise. Virrco in collaboration with Paraw World, has developed a miniature boat or paraw painted with Pinay in different roles.
Catch and immerse in the collection and be captivated by the idea of combining crafts and art. With Pinay as subjects, it’s more than a collaborative and commemorative but more tributary and humanitarian as proceeds will benefit the fisherfolks in Panay who are the makers of the raw paraw crafts.
The empowered Pinay will also be reflected in Virrco’s new collection of wearable art like the bags and shirts which will be unveiled in the Virrco Wearable Art Fashion Show on March 19 as a highlight of the program that includes entertaining numbers, a book launch with Pinay author Carmie de Leon and social media blitz and more.
It’s the second time Virrco has been featured by SM Sta Mesa since last year’s Independence day commemoration entitled Perlas Ng Silangan featuring his one-eyed woman paintings following a well-received breakthrough homecoming one-man exhibit in MetLive Atrium back in 2021.
Proceeds of merchandise for wearable art will benefit the Smile Train, a foundation that helps children with cleft palate. To check out the latest collection. visit the site https://www.virrco.net/ or follow the artist's page https://www.facebook.com/rommel.rico.33 for inquiries and other concerns.