Lugano, 18 November 2017 – The 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Switzerland in Canton Ticino showcases the talents of three Swiss-based Filipino women in an art exhibition held at Villa Sassa Hotel. The exhibit, which runs from 18 to 25 November 2017, features the works of Pamela Gotangco, Marissa Gonzalez, and Tina Heiter.
Ambassador Joselito A. Jimeno talks to one of the artists during the art exhibition
The three artists were introduced during the vernissage for the exhibit.
Zürich-based Pamela Gotangco is Bachelor of Arts in Communications graduate from Miriam College in the Philippines. She is an advocate of alternative communication and characterizes her style as figurative, fun, feminine, and arbitrary, sometimes bordering on sociopolitical arguments. A proponent of equal opportunity for women, Ms. Gotangco also draws insights from the role of women in present society. Sometimes, her work can be seen as self-portraiture of her private life using iconic female figures. Working in layers, she incorporates motifs drawn from both her own life’s experiences and from the people around her.
Having started painting professionally in 2010, her work has been received well in Switzerland and abroad. Her work has been curated several times by renowned curators from acclaimed museums and galleries. In 2012, Saatchi online included one of her works in “100 Curators 100 Days”, recognizing 1,000 artists for their outstanding work. The selection was made from the 60,000 artists that were then exhibited online. Ms. Gotangco’s artwork was selected by Mirjam Varadinis, an art historian and a curator at Kunsthaus Zủrich, where she is in-charge of contemporary art. Saatchi Online Director Rebecca Wilson also regularly curates Ms. Gotangco’s work as top picks.
Minister and Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro introduces Ms. Pamela Gotangco to the guests
Adding to her accolades are numerous digital display of her work in iconic locations such as Times Square New York in 2012, Saatchi Gallery in London in 2013, and art fairs such as Art Basel Miami in 2013; Art International Zủrich in 2014; SCOPE Art Basel, Art Shopping in Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, and Manila Art in 2016; and Hong Kong Exhibit Center in 2017. Ms. Gotangco has also had solo exhibits and group shows within Switzerland.
Geneva-based Marissa Gonzalez is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts degree with major in Mass Media from De la Salle University in Manila. She first worked in Manila at the Industrial Design Associates followed by a brief stint at the Philippine Embassy in Berne, before working at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where she spent her professional life until her recent retirement.
A brief introduction about the works of Geneva-based artist, Ms. Marissa Gonzalez
Ms. Gonzales was first a photographer. She has a technical diploma in Photography at the Cours Industrials du Soir. She discovered her passion for painting while exposed to the work of other artists. She then took lessons for the appropriate technique, including courses in France for silk painting. In Switzerland, she worked with a master who taught her watercolor, oil and acrylic techniques on different mediums like paper, wood and canvas. Ms. Gonzalez’ all-time favorite is painting on Jusi (Philippine Silk), which she has been doing since 2000.
Tina Borja-Heiter holds a Bachalor of Arts degree in Foreign Service and History from Maryknoll College in Manila. She, however, later decided to join their family’s business in electric power distribution and at the same time, opened and managed her own restaurant until she married Swiss national Andreas Heiter and migrated to Switzerland.
Ms. Heiter discovered her love of art during her college days when she joined a group of her college mates for a private tutorial in sketching and oil painting. However, opportunities for dabbling in painting after college were rare due to the demands of her work. When she migrated to Switzerland, Ms. Heiter became attracted to the style of Swiss aquarelle artists using modern techniques that she decided to take courses while also self-experimenting and studying technical books of art.
Artist, Ms. Tina Borja-Heiter and Minister Lazaro during the art exhibition
Ms. Heiter’s work has evolved in many stages using different media and styles starting with oil, acquarelle, gouache, soft/oil pastels and acrylic using different techniques and styles from traditional or realistic, impressionistic and currently going deeper into abstraction.
The vernissage was attended by locals from Lugano, representatives of media in Ticino and northern Italy, Swiss-based foreign artists, and some members of the Filipino community.
Filipino soprano Armela Fortuna-Widmer provided the entertainment at the vernissage with her rendition of Mutya ng Pasig, a classical Filipino love song composed by the well-renowned Filipino composer Nicanor Abelardo. END
