This fifth solo exhibition of Babeth Lolarga is borne out of the challenge Mr. Louie Sevilla hurled at her in May 2010: that she is ready for Nineveh Art Space.
The title of the show comes from a song written by Richard Rodgers. The painter's original intention was to present a series of still life of bric-a-brac that have personal meaning in her life.
In October 2010, Babeth's eldest daughter confided to her that she would become a grandmother around the time her exhibition would open and run. Her child, an adult of 25, will bear Babeth's first grandchild sometime late March or early April.
On the fourth day of the New Year of 2011, the painter suffered an accident, slipping in the bathroom of a rented room and breaking and shattering part of her right elbow, thus compromising her painting arm. Undaunted, she assured Nineveh of her commitment, and by February, with her arm still weak but healing naturally and not requiring orthopedic surgery, she finished the four works included in the show. The act of painting, moving her iright hand up and down as she colored the canvas with paints and prayers, hastened the healing of the injured arm which she can now fully extend without pain.
The romance referred to in the title she chose immediately took on a different meaning.
"My Romance" now speaks of a romance fulfilled: that of her daughter's. In a short span of time, the subject has metamorphosed from the painter's persona as represented by the bric a brac surrounding her life to her daughter in the beautiful bloom of a romance fulfilled.
The painter acknowledges the assistance of her art teacher, Norman Chow, himself a new grandfather, who unselfishly gave much of his time and knowledge in seeing to it that his longtime student fulfills her vision and is able to reach her goal of dedicating a show to one of two beloved daughters.
Photo shows detail from "Mother, I Have Something to Tell You," acrylic on canvas board, 2 x 3 feet, 2011. Not for Sale
Nineveh Art Space is at Villa Silangan in Santa Cruz, Laguna. Simultaneous shows open March 20 and end April 10.
