Ilonggo heirloom dishes take spotlight in ‘Timplada’ art exhibit

Artworks inspired by some of the most loved Ilonggo heirloom dishes take center stage in “Timplada: The Art of Ilonggo Cuisine,” an onsite art exhibition that opened on October 9, 2021 at the Hulot Gallery of Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The art exhibition features 10 unique artworks by Ilonggo artists who took their inspiration from 10 classic Ilonggo dishes.

Alex Ordoyo and Jecko Magallon were inspired by staple Ilonggo comfort food such as batchoy and pancit molo.

Creative power couple Noel Epalan Jr. and Marge Chavez depicted the nostalgic food preparation in the kitchen through their still life paintings of KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka) and laswa (mixed vegetable soup).

Marrz Capanang’s artwork featured “Sinabawan sa Batwan,” another staple Ilonggo comfort soup flavored with the native fruit of “batwan,” a fruit endemic to Western Visayas used to sour broths.

Meanwhile, Kristoffer Brasileño’s take on the famous chicken inasal in Calle Real is another inviting artwork featured in the exhibit.

Margaux Blas featured ingredients of tambo, a seasonal dish made of bamboo shoots, on her artwork using a more stylized technique.

Art enthusiasts should also not miss the artworks of Eric Barbosa Jr. and Jeanroll Ejar which were inspired by the traditional Ilonggo kakanin, baye-baye and ibus.

Inday Dolls Rosa Zerrudo’s brainchild, “Timplada ni Inday” is also a standout in the exhibit as the self-sculpture highlights Hiligaynon terms for taste and names of local fish.

What makes Zerrudo’s hand-embroidered artwork extra special was that it was created in collaboration with women artists and hablon weavers behind bars or persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in Iloilo City.

“I collaborated with women behind bars for my artwork. It expresses a sense of home and a tribute to everyday Ilonggo flavors,” Zerrudo said in a virtual press conference.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas lauded the vibrant gastronomy community in the city thanks to the growing number of traditional restaurants and chefs.

“Iloilo City’s unique cuisines is one of the many things that Ilonggos can be proud of other than its Dinagyang Festival, century old churches, and majestic heritage mansions. Despite the modernity infusion of influences, local know-how and old-style culinary practices and methods of cooking have survived industrial and technological advancement,” Treñas said.

The onsite art exhibit is just part three-event of the Timplada: The Art of Ilonggo Cuisine composed of virtual art exhibition, a series of educational live streams, and the launching of Iloilo City food map.

“Timplada” which comes from the root word timpla which means to mix denotes a mixture of ingredients following a recipe.

Hence, the Timplada: The Art of Ilonggo Cuisine features a fusion of food, art, and culture which aims to jumpstart a more conscious effort to represent traditional and regional dishes in art.

Timplada is also in support of the city’s bid to become one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City for Gastronomy.

The public may visit the art exhibition from Friday to Sunday, provided that they book an appointment a day in advance.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, ILOMOCA can only accommodate ten visitors at a time subject to the health protocols.

For interested individuals, you may book an appointment thru the ILOMOCA Facebook page.