CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A local visual and performance artist, Nicolas Aca Jr., had his work - a wood carving intermedia artwork - handed over and dedicated to Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal by the Bangladesh Embassy as a permanent showpiece to the Museo ni Jose Rizal in Calamba City in Laguna province.
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| Nicolas Aca Jr., and his art piece. (Sayu) |
Aca said his art piece was originally for the 2018 exhibit “From Manila to Dhaka” held at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery in Intramuros in Manila, and was eventually bought by the Bangladesh Embassy.
The artwork, Aca said, is a juxtaposition of the images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is considered as the “Father of the Nation of Bangladesh,” and Rizal.
Aca said he was inspired by his experience during a visit in Bangladesh in 2018 where he came to know Bangabandhu, also known as Mujib. “He is known as their Hero For All Seasons. He had almost the same missions as with our very own Dr. Jose Rizal, and both of them faced a tragic death. This inspired me to put them together in one artwork,” he said.
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| Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Rafiqur Rahman / Dhaka Tribune) |
“Bangabandhu and Rizal shared the same tragic fate for their countries. On August 15, 1975, Bangabandhu and his family were killed by a group of army officers, who invaded the Presidential residence. Rizal, on the other hand, was sentenced to death by firing squad and executed on December 30, 1896 for exposing the dark aspects of the Spanish regime” Aca said.
He said both deaths unified and prompted revolutions that led to their country’s independence. “My visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2018 was a very memorable one. We were warmly welcomed by their people, together with other artists from all around the world. There were three of us from the Philippines, I together with Tres Roman and Esme Abalde,” Aca said.
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| Bangladesh Ambassador to Manila, Asad Alam Siam and Curator of Rizal Museum, Zara Escueta unveil the commemorative artwork of Cagayan de Oro City visual artist Nicolas Aca Jr. on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Dr. Jose P Rizal. (Photo Courtesy of Bangladesh Embassy) |
The Filipino artists represented the Philippines for the 18th Asian Art Biennale. There were workshops and tours to Bangladesh’s historical sites, and performances from international artists. “We also have learned a lot from their culture,” Aca said. “Heroes are those who are willing to sacrifice their own life for the greater good. They have a certain purpose and they believe in what is right. A hero, for me, does not do things only for himself, but for other generations to benefit what he does as well.”
The art piece, along with books, photos, and other materials, is part of the two-month-long exhibit on Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal) at the Museo ni Jose Rizal as part of the birth centenary celebration of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Aca was recently sworn in as the new chairperson of the Cagayan de Oro City's Historical and Cultural Commission. (Sayu)
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