Tinatik Artist Maela Jose Holds Exhibit At The Baguio Museum

Tinatik artist Maela Jose held an exhibit called “Makulay na Buhay ” at the Baguio Museum on Friday, Dec 8. Her most recent work is the luminous tent-like Christmas tree on Session Road. Maela talks about her interpretation of her most recent work for Baguio and her art collection for 25 years.

Maela Liwanag Jose, popularly known as Maela Jose, is a practicing Tinatik artist originally from Pampanga. Her resist process textile installations have been used in rituals and in performance contexts. She’s had exhibits at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Metropolitan Museum, Crucible Gallery, Angeles Museum, Baguio Convention center and more. She’s also a singer and a songwriter. Maela is also a founding member of the Pampanga Arts Guild and officer of the Baguio Arts Guild.

Maela Jose talks about Baguio Christmas Tree, celebrates 25 years as a Tinatik artist

Maela Jose shared with the people of Baguio a collection of some of her work for 25 years during her exhibit on Friday. The event was attended by friends and guests, Secretary and Executive director of the Baguio Museum Stella Maria L. de Guia, member of the Board of Trustees Atty. Edilberto B. Tenefrancia and more.

At first, Maela talked about how she and her soulmate Sonny Zandueta partner together when it comes to the success of her art. Sonny is also a visual artist, musician, and songwriter. Maela calls Sonny “Shine” and the “wind beneath my wings.”

During the exhibit, Maela shared how her art always starts with a center. For her, the center is a divine energy. She talked about how she plays with seven colors and how each color represents something special. For Maela, seven is a very powerful number. There are seven days in a week, seven musical notes, and added how powerful people like the number seven because it is believed to be God’s number.

After talking about colors and her art, Maela then talked about her recent project, the Baguio Christmas tree on top of Session Road. This tree has had mixed reactions from tourists and locals alike. Every year, people would always anticipate the design of the Christmas tree in that specific area. This year, Maela went with a cone-shaped canvas with colorful images representing Cordillera drawn around it. The best part is that it illuminates in the dark because of the luminous colors used in the whole canvas.

Maela explains that the tree is her own interpretation of Christmas. She knows that not a lot of people would appreciate it most especially younger ones who are accustomed to the western type of Christmas. Maela conceived about the idea and it was precisely part of her mind and soul to show a different interpretation. With the play of light and the color blue, which for her is an expression of art, creates a certain type of mystery.

Maela said that it was a bit sad that the tent-like tree didn’t have much support in terms of finances before it was set up in Session Road. This affected the luminosity of the whole canvas. The artwork is currently undergoing some changes and calls it still a work in progress.

Baguio Christmas Tree burned, Mayor ordered a full investigation. Unfortunately, on Monday morning, just 3 days after the exhibit, Maela’s tree in Session Road was reportedly in flames. Thankfully, the Baguio City Fire Station responded immediately. The fire affected the lower part of Jose’s creation. According to a report by Sunstar, the initial investigation says it wasn’t due to any electrical system but was an intentional incident. The report further says that Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan already ordered a full investigation and said that Maela’s creation will still remain atop Session Road.