BELONGING : FRANCISGUM Artist Reception

8020 Melrose Avenue,Los Angeles CA 90046

04 June, 2022

Description

FRANCISGUM ARTIST NIGHT at the Belonging Exhibition “MARANASAN MULI” Inspired by the years living in his home province of Nueva Vizcaya, Filipino-American creative Francisgum’s “MARANASAN MULI” series relieves a chapter in his life while interweaving his hopes, dreams, and aspirations. This may sound simple yet it is in this profound simplicity that Filipino immigrants like him nurture a shared sentiment, a growing longing and an immense nostalgia for living in the Philippines. The world sees people traversing skies, crossing oceans, leaving a part of their souls for greener pasture. However, it may have always been inevitably unseen when Filipino immigrants long for their life back in the Philippines. There is a Filipino in many corners of the world craving for that familiar taste, that unusual smell, that moving music, that comforting breeze. Whether it is aching for a space, deconstructing a feeling, or recreating a memory, Filipinos constantly face the world that awaits them, with love for the arts, culture, and identity. “PABILI PO: SARI-SARI STORE NI FRANCIS” “Pabili po” meaning “may I buy”, is a common greeting used by customers to attract the attention of owners managing sari-sari stores, the neighborhood retail stores found throughout the Philippines. These small convenience stores play a vital role in meeting the everyday needs of Filipino communities by offering a variety of basic goods and household staples at affordable prices since items are available on a “tingi” or retail basis through single use packaged items. However, sari-sari stores are more than mere shops. They help bring locals together by serving as a place for them to gather, socialize, or simply have late afternoon drinks. Francisgum built this installation featuring the facade of the Philippine’s iconic sari-sari store as part of his “Maranasan Muli” series and invites viewers to experience their own “pabili po” moment like the locals.