Exhibitions

Cranes, or herons as they are also referred to as, play an important role in eastern mythology. In some cultures, the crane is venerated as the prince of all feathered creatures and thus has a legendary status. Embodying longevity and peace, it is the second most favored bird symbol after the phoenix. Throughout the imperial times, crane motifs were used on the robes of civil officials to depict their ranks. Because of its ability to fly high and over long distances, its wings were used as an amulet for protection against exhaustion.

Few who have held paper have not, at some stage, folded a bird, or some bird-form, a pair of wings, and flown them, literally, or with arms whirling to create the magic of flight. Cranes are core to origami, and the tradition of folding a 1,000, or senzaburu, dates back to a Confucian belief that they could live to be 1,000 years old. To fold so many is to conjure up the long-standing association between these remarkable birds, longevity, happiness and good fortune.

For “Significat”, Jo Balbarona uses the symbolism of cranes, origami, and the senbazuru principle —to explore the poetry of life and the world. By focusing on these elements and one’s relationship to them, the artist presents a fresh vantage point from which to consider identity, place, time, and memory. A beloved personal object retains the essence of the person who chose it, and Jo Balbarona believes that these objects have the power to contain, as well as reveal and restore, one’s hope for the future.

Joan Antonio Balbarona (b.1977) is a self-taught artist from Hindang, Leyte. She studied Food Science and Technology at UP Los Baños. Joan has worked as a 3D animator and video editor, and now is a full-time artist. In 2013, she had the chance to study at the Art Students League of New York, under the tutelage of the well-known abstractionist Ronnie Landfield. She was one of the finalists in the non-representational category in the 2017 GSIS national art competition for her abstract “Ang Pagtangis ng mga Ibong Pipit”. She was also a finalist in 2017 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence for her sculpture entitled “The Colony”.

“Significat” by Jo Balbarona will be on view at Galerie Joaquin Rockwell from September 18 - 28, 2022, with the Artist Reception scheduled on September 21, Wednesday at 5PM. The gallery is located at the R3 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati. For inquiries, contact Galerie Joaquin at +63 915 414 5502 or email galeriejoaquinrockwell@gmail.com.