Traditional learning methods are not for everyone but everyone wants to be valued for who they are. Often, a safe and encouraging space is all a young person needs to thrive and flourish. That’s why Abot Tala exists as an option for teenagers looking for a different education avenue, one that is self-directed, personalized, and where mentoring is unlimited.
This coming April 9, 2021, in partnership with the country’s premiere auction house, Leon Gallery, Abot Tala is participating in our fourth auction. We’d like to thank the artists who believe in this endeavor and who identify strongly with the Abot Tala mission. Some of them wish that a place like Abot Tala existed during their youth. We are grateful to Katrina Pallon, Mav Rufino, Tessa Alindogan, Mejalosa, and Fred Agustin for offering their talent and artistry for this cause.
“Now that she’s back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there’s a time to change
Since the return from her stay on the moon”
— lyrics from Train’s “Drops of Jupiter”
While artist, Katrina Pallon was painting “Since the Return from her Stay on the Moon,” she was listening to this song over and over as it resonated with her coming from a much-needed trip around Indochina. Art and music help heal us especially after going through a rough patch. For Katrina, this piece is “about coming home to yourself, making peace with your inner demons in order to gain momentum to keep moving forward.”
“How does one put into words this almost spiritual process?” Tessa Alindogan asks. When she paints, she feels that she is on a different plane altogether. It’s where she enjoys her solitude in an unchoreographed dance.
“In frightening and uncertain times like this,” Tessa continues, “we are only reminded of its power and importance. Art heals, calms the mind, and nurtures the spirit and that creative expression is one of the most profound ways people have coped with collective and individual hardships throughout our history.”
If you awaken from this illusion and you understand that,
Black implies white,
Self implies other,
Life implies death,
or shall I say death implies life.
You can feel yourself,
Not as a stranger in the world,
Not as something here on probation,
Not as something that has arrived here by fluke,
But you can begin to feel your own existence,
As absolute fundamental.
What you are basically,
Deep, deep down far, far within,
Is simply the fabric and structure of existence itself.
— Open Your Eyes by CMA
This is one of the songs that played in the background while Mejalosa worked on this painting. He was looking for a breather from other unfinished pieces which led to creating “Placid Portrait Picks Personality” about self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-love. As one of Mejalosa’s source of inspiration chanted, “….begin to feel your existence as absolute fundamental.” You are the fabric of existence itself.
Transcendental is a work about the search for and journey into the enlightened path, a yearning for inner peace.
“Coming from the pressures of trivialities and expectations from this world,” artist Fred Agustin explains, “I just want to be in a state, in a moment, in a space where I can find that emanating light. As the colors fluctuate from dark to light; streaks and splashes of cruelty and joy, there is always hope that in the end, there will always be calmness and peace.”
“Give me two hours a day of activity, and I’ll take the other twenty-two in dreams.” — Salvador Dali
This painting by artist, Marivic Rufino is called “I Dream of Dali” and was started in 1994-95 but finished in 2021. “I paint images of my dreams, from memory and visions of the future.”
Since she began painting as a child and had a group show at age 11, Mav has had a romance with nature, light, and dreamscapes. She has always shared her passion for art with others, a gift that has helped her survive the turbulent storms of life.
We are so grateful that these paintings will be auctioned to support Abot Tala this April. Abot Tala is a 21st century, collaborative learning hub for teens who yearn to be free from the shackles limiting their vision and with the help of mentors, direct and design their unique education pathways.
abottala.wordpress.com 