Rosscapili
01-11-2007, 12:06 PM
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Sofia Gomez Genato
Indochine Introspective at OWG
By Yugel Losorata
With photography virtually standing as one of the more viable sources of money for visual artists, some talents still see the craft as sheer art, not as bread and butter.
For hobbyist Sofia Gomez Genato, work and art shouldn’t be mixed. Her job in advertising and her photography pastime both do offer fulfillment. Only that, if the former takes care of her financial security, the latter provides her inner bliss.
The 29-year-old, free spirited lady is set to stage her first ever-solo exhibit in a few day’s time. But more than the thrill of displaying her images in such grand scale, it is the fact that part of the exhibit proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization, Pondo ng Pinoy, which really excites her- to think this will be of help for its education, livelihood, and health care projects.
“I’d want my photographs to be a vessel to uplift others, touching them as a form of art and as source of monetary help,” shared Sofia, who studied college in Ohio, U.S.A. and whose photos of three Asian countries she visited will comprise the frames to be displayed at the OWG (One Workshop Gallery) located at 2241 La Fuerza Plaza II, Don Chino Roces Ave., cor. Sabio St., Makati City from January 13 to 27. For practically the last three years, she stayed in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, capturing the heritage-rich place, along with two other worth-documenting countries, namely, Cambodia and China.
“They were such good places to photograph,” said the former Film major student which is entitling her upcoming exhibit “Indochine Introspective.” This is apt considering how deep she dwelled into the culture of the aforementioned nations.
She elaborated, “Traveling around Asia has fueled my passion for photography even more. The lights, colors, places and silhouettes of China, Cambodia and Vietnam have really enriched my vision. Visiting Vietnam’s little known rustic towns and minority tribes of the north, and capturing the smiling faces and experiencing their rich culture have inspired me to shoot even more. There are several UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hoi An and Halong Bay that should not be missed. Most of the time, I rode on the back of a motorcycle while taking pictures.”
“Cambodia, with its temples and monks, take you back in time as the sheer age and history of the place and temples you see would really humble you. Same goes for China, with the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen square. It’s amazing to think about the wonders that man has created. And to immortalize these in single shot is bliss.”
Sofia, who started shooting in 1998, embraces black-and-white pictures with much candor, falling in love with such trick after seeing the prints of foreigner Robert Doisneau. She said she’s always been fascinated with light and shadow, and that such allows her more to explore on the matter.
Yet, she changed her mind a bit after realizing that some images could be best captured in colorful renditions. Thus, from being a purist, she began putting colors to her portfolio. One thing more, her documentation of the other Eastern countries makes her to conclude how beautiful Philippines as a place and culture as compared with some of her neighbors. Sadly enough though, she witnessed that our beloved country is not that popular among tourists, that she even had to lecture someone about the Philippines because it is not in his where-to-go in Asia list.
“After my exhibit, I’ll be focusing more on the parts of the Philippines and showcasing the slices of life here, the vibrancy of our heritage and culture we have. I am so happy that photography has become so popular here that now, people have the ability to share more of the Philippines with fellows Filipinos and to the rest of the world as well. I think the Philippines is Asia’s best-kept secret, and I am looking forward to featuring it in my future shows.”
Among the locals, living photography icons, Bien S. Bautista and John Chua, are considered by Sofia as her inspirations in raising her bar as a talent. She has taken by heart and practiced the advice that one should take pictures regularly to improve his or her skills. Well, she may have not yet attended a photography class, but she tirelessly reads about photography and continuously learns more about it from friends.
Early on, Sofia got attracted to her mother’s interest in photography and later inherited her old Nikon film camera. Though still very open for possible directions to lead her career into, her expertise in capturing faces and people seems to tell she’d be associated more with portraiture. Of course, based on her career-tuning-point exhibit, documentary is definitely part of her menu as a woman behind the camera.
A naturally friendly yuppie with a pretty face, Sofia has good experiences as account manager working for some top advertising agencies. Her job in this arena requires expertise in communication skills, which she has. She is even more communicating now through photography.
“My photography shows the way I see the world, my moods and my personality. For me it is a way of taking that one great shot that changes the way you see the world and sheds a light of appreciation on the everyday things, but magical moments we sometimes take for granted.”
Apart from the excellent visual imagery of her works, equally magical is Sofia Gomez Genato’s heart for worthy causes. Her first exhibit at OWG benefiting the Pondo Ng Pinoy project by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales simply seals herself as more than just someone with an art, but an artist with a heart.
Opening cocktails on January 19 at 630pm.
OWG (One Workshop Gallery) located at 2241 La Fuerza Plaza II, Don Chino Roces Ave., cor. Sabio St., Makati City
Gallery Hours 10am-7pm Mondays to Saturdays
For more information please call 8192074
www.owgallery.com
Sofia Gomez Genato
Indochine Introspective at OWG
By Yugel Losorata
With photography virtually standing as one of the more viable sources of money for visual artists, some talents still see the craft as sheer art, not as bread and butter.
For hobbyist Sofia Gomez Genato, work and art shouldn’t be mixed. Her job in advertising and her photography pastime both do offer fulfillment. Only that, if the former takes care of her financial security, the latter provides her inner bliss.
The 29-year-old, free spirited lady is set to stage her first ever-solo exhibit in a few day’s time. But more than the thrill of displaying her images in such grand scale, it is the fact that part of the exhibit proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization, Pondo ng Pinoy, which really excites her- to think this will be of help for its education, livelihood, and health care projects.
“I’d want my photographs to be a vessel to uplift others, touching them as a form of art and as source of monetary help,” shared Sofia, who studied college in Ohio, U.S.A. and whose photos of three Asian countries she visited will comprise the frames to be displayed at the OWG (One Workshop Gallery) located at 2241 La Fuerza Plaza II, Don Chino Roces Ave., cor. Sabio St., Makati City from January 13 to 27. For practically the last three years, she stayed in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, capturing the heritage-rich place, along with two other worth-documenting countries, namely, Cambodia and China.
“They were such good places to photograph,” said the former Film major student which is entitling her upcoming exhibit “Indochine Introspective.” This is apt considering how deep she dwelled into the culture of the aforementioned nations.
She elaborated, “Traveling around Asia has fueled my passion for photography even more. The lights, colors, places and silhouettes of China, Cambodia and Vietnam have really enriched my vision. Visiting Vietnam’s little known rustic towns and minority tribes of the north, and capturing the smiling faces and experiencing their rich culture have inspired me to shoot even more. There are several UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hoi An and Halong Bay that should not be missed. Most of the time, I rode on the back of a motorcycle while taking pictures.”
“Cambodia, with its temples and monks, take you back in time as the sheer age and history of the place and temples you see would really humble you. Same goes for China, with the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen square. It’s amazing to think about the wonders that man has created. And to immortalize these in single shot is bliss.”
Sofia, who started shooting in 1998, embraces black-and-white pictures with much candor, falling in love with such trick after seeing the prints of foreigner Robert Doisneau. She said she’s always been fascinated with light and shadow, and that such allows her more to explore on the matter.
Yet, she changed her mind a bit after realizing that some images could be best captured in colorful renditions. Thus, from being a purist, she began putting colors to her portfolio. One thing more, her documentation of the other Eastern countries makes her to conclude how beautiful Philippines as a place and culture as compared with some of her neighbors. Sadly enough though, she witnessed that our beloved country is not that popular among tourists, that she even had to lecture someone about the Philippines because it is not in his where-to-go in Asia list.
“After my exhibit, I’ll be focusing more on the parts of the Philippines and showcasing the slices of life here, the vibrancy of our heritage and culture we have. I am so happy that photography has become so popular here that now, people have the ability to share more of the Philippines with fellows Filipinos and to the rest of the world as well. I think the Philippines is Asia’s best-kept secret, and I am looking forward to featuring it in my future shows.”
Among the locals, living photography icons, Bien S. Bautista and John Chua, are considered by Sofia as her inspirations in raising her bar as a talent. She has taken by heart and practiced the advice that one should take pictures regularly to improve his or her skills. Well, she may have not yet attended a photography class, but she tirelessly reads about photography and continuously learns more about it from friends.
Early on, Sofia got attracted to her mother’s interest in photography and later inherited her old Nikon film camera. Though still very open for possible directions to lead her career into, her expertise in capturing faces and people seems to tell she’d be associated more with portraiture. Of course, based on her career-tuning-point exhibit, documentary is definitely part of her menu as a woman behind the camera.
A naturally friendly yuppie with a pretty face, Sofia has good experiences as account manager working for some top advertising agencies. Her job in this arena requires expertise in communication skills, which she has. She is even more communicating now through photography.
“My photography shows the way I see the world, my moods and my personality. For me it is a way of taking that one great shot that changes the way you see the world and sheds a light of appreciation on the everyday things, but magical moments we sometimes take for granted.”
Apart from the excellent visual imagery of her works, equally magical is Sofia Gomez Genato’s heart for worthy causes. Her first exhibit at OWG benefiting the Pondo Ng Pinoy project by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales simply seals herself as more than just someone with an art, but an artist with a heart.
Opening cocktails on January 19 at 630pm.
OWG (One Workshop Gallery) located at 2241 La Fuerza Plaza II, Don Chino Roces Ave., cor. Sabio St., Makati City
Gallery Hours 10am-7pm Mondays to Saturdays
For more information please call 8192074
www.owgallery.com