TACLOBAN CITY– The Kolor Banwa Art Group has once again placed the spotlight on Eastern Visayas’ creative pulse with Visualeyte 2.0, an art exhibition that boldly celebrates Leyte’s rich and diverse artistic talent.
Held to honor the evolving voices of the region’s visual storytellers, the exhibit brings together some of the most dynamic and thought-provoking artists in the province.
Participating in this year’s highly anticipated showcase are Kolor Banwa members Clint Gonzales, Aljun Alvarez, Archie Prisno, Kat de la Cruz, Hazel Llemos, Melchor Tagana, Myra Delima-Medalla, Philip Salem, and Dante Enage, as well as three guest artists in the name of Rico Palacio, Edmund Balan, Raul Agner—twelve artists whose distinct voices and visions shape the compelling narrative of Visualeyte 2.0.
This year’s installment offers an immersive visual journey—each artwork a doorway into the mind of its creator, unified by a shared commitment to authentic expression and cultural introspection.
A Mosaic of Creative Vision
Among the featured artists is Clint Gonzales, whose fusion of serigraphy and traditional painting techniques delivers urban energy with a deeply personal narrative. His pieces examine the intersection of femininity and modernity, echoing his graffiti roots. Kat de la Cruz explores synesthesia in her work, translating anxiety into color and form.
Her compositions feel almost audible—music rendered into vibrant strokes that challenge the boundary between sound and sight. Artists Hazel Llemos and Myra Delima-Medalla delve into the complexities of womanhood.
Through powerful visual storytelling, they convey themes of growth, identity, and feminine grace. In his “Binignit” series, Philip Salem marries cultural tradition with modern sensibilities. His use of local delicacies as metaphor—particularly for femininity—results in layered, textural pieces that are both familiar and forward-thinking.
Archie Prisno contributes works that push abstraction into figurative portraiture. His detailed line work—stripes, checks, and tracery—infuses female forms with complexity and elegance, creating a unique tension between structure and softness.
Environmental reflection comes through the work of Dante Enage, who illustrates ecosystems with geometric precision and vibrant color. His art serves as a visual call to preserve nature’s delicate balance.
Mortal Kallos, a series by Aljun Alvarez, evokes themes of mystery and fragility through levitating objects and aquatic motifs. The dreamlike quality of his work invites contemplation on transformation and vulnerability. With celestial aesthetics, Melchor Tagana offers a cosmic take on abstraction. Fluid water forms blend with space-inspired imagery, producing a vision that spans sea and stars, grounded in darkness and illuminated by ethereal light.
Raul Agner brings masculinity to the forefront with bold strokes and banig-inspired patterns. His work echoes heritage and strength, contrasting rigid geometry with expressive freedom.
Rico Palacio dives into surrealism, layering time, memory, and symbolism. His textured, collage-style compositions reflect on impermanence, offering viewers a visual meditation on life’s cyclical nature.
Finally, Edmun Balan captures the poetry of rural life through impressionist strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh. His depictions of daily provincial scenes shine with warmth, gratitude, and reverence for simplicity.
A Celebration of Vision and Identity
More than an exhibit, Visualeyte 2.0 is a testament to Leyte’s vibrant cultural landscape and its thriving community of visual artists. Each work resonates with introspection and ingenuity, reflecting not only individual journeys but a shared narrative of place, purpose, and passion.
Presented by Kolor Banwa, this showcase stands as a powerful reminder of art’s ability to transform perception, challenge norms, and unite communities through shared experiences and stories.
“This event paves the way for Leyteño artists to gain a platform on the national art stage.” said Melchor Tagana, the President of Kolor Banwa, emphasizing the broader cultural significance of the exhibition.
Present during the exhibit’s opening were some of the biggest names in the Philippine art scene, namely Tin Yap, owner of Nami Art Gallery, Raul Isidro, Juno Galang, Dr. Renato Cheng, sculptor Anita del Rosario, and environmental art activist AG Saño. Visualeyte 2.0 runs until April 16 at the Nami Art Gallery, White Plains Quezon City.(PR)
