We are thrilled to present our first ever Virtual Gallery for our Interconnected Artist Spotlight. This body of work comes to us courtesy of VAHMS Director Bert Monterona. You click through the above link to visit this virtual space and interact with Bert’s work.
Artist Statement
This body of work illustrates and explains the thoughts and feelings that have directed my life for a long time. My vision is grounded on the principles of social, political and ecological justice. I am an activist and a person with a deep concern for the social and environmental issues that affect the lives of humans, animals and all living things. My concern is with the planet where I live and the future for all humanity.
My works showcased in this exhibit mark the transition I have recently made by moving to beautiful British Columbia from my homeland in the Philippines. The subject matter is inspired by my explorations of the natural environment through gardening, boating, fishing, hiking, and camping, on the West Coast and West Vancouver of British Columbia. My imagery fuses local inspiration with decorative motifs from my homeland.
About Bert:
Bert Monterona is a Filipino-Canadian visual artist living in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Monterona is actively involved as an educator, cultural worker, and active artist working in a wide variety of practices, including design, illustration, painting, murals, sculpture and installations. He also makes sets and builds props for stage performances and television shows. He just recently exhibited his Tapestry paintings in Gisors, France as a guest artist during the GRAND BAZ’ ART International Art Festival and in Hong Kong at Jockey Club Creative Arts Center. Internationally acclaimed, Monterona is a recipient of numerous grants and residencies between 1995 and the present, including the Western Australia Department of the Arts and the Australia Council for the Arts Grant; the University of Western Australia School of Architecture and Fine Arts and the Australian Embassy Philippines Residency Grant; and the Asian Artists Award of Vermont Studio Centre and the Freeman Foundation, U.S.A. Aside from his studio painting activities for galleries and art collectors, he is also active in social development advocacy work for non-governmental organizations and institutions by giving arts and cultural services for their education and information programs and campaigns.