Solace is an art exhibit inspired by locally-produced film project “The Madam,” depicting the realities of human trafficking and violence against women. Rubyjane Buhain-Redila, who starred in the film, is featuring her artwork with a few featured local artists (myself included) at the upcoming exhibit. Rubyjane shared this about her experience and reason for creating the exhibit:
The story behind Solace…
Writing the screenplay for Madam, working on its production, being emotionally invested in all the characters and having to immerse my whole being into Reva Cruz, the main character, kept me in a state of darkness and depression several weeks after its production. I needed an outlet to project these feelings to and a proactive one. Being creative is something that’s second nature to me, so I went to my art studio and began to paint.
All my artworks are made out of acrylic on stretched canvas. I experimented with impasto, played with muted and striking colors and tried out various stroke techniques. I also invested in quality paint materials, brushes and high quality framework.
Most of my art pieces have a theme that draws upon and further explores Madam. I felt a sense of connection and social responsibility to the victims of human sex trafficking and violence against women and young girls. For a brief time in post-production of Madam, I was fixated on painting trees, which to me represents my personal discovery of my place on this world. The trees and the styles illustrated in my paintings are a symbol of everlasting hope and protection, rooted in enduring strength and love.
The aim of the art exhibit is to raise awareness and shed light on this social issue, one painting at a time. All my paintings will be displayed and available for auction at the opening ceremony. In addition, there will be special participation art pieces made by various local artists such as Mar-Vic Cagurangan, John Bermudes, John Cortez, Myracle S. Mugol, Michelle Pier, my daughter Jasmine Jane Redila and many more.
Funds raised through this event will go towards the production of “Madam,” the feature length film through Pacific Motion Alliance, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the awareness of social issues to the community through different artistic mediums. The exhibit will be held at the CAHA Art Gallery in Hagatña Guam, presented by the Guam Council of the Arts and Humanities Agency and Pacific Motion Alliance with its opening ceremony on May 1, 2015, 6pm to 9pm. For more information, you may contact me at rubyjane.redila@gmail.com, phone number 671-988-3616 or Mark Duenas at mark.duenas@caha.guam.gov, contact number 671-300-1206.”