Artist: Rose Datoc Dall
Title: Binakol Dream
Medium: Oil, acrylic, foam, gold leaf
Dimensions: 12x24
Price: $3,500
Artist Statement: This Filipina is wearing a traditional Terno dress (butterfly sleeve dress). The seemingly modern abstract pattern on her dress is an actual traditional Inabel weaving pattern that dates back to the 19th century and is specific to the Ilocano people, who are my ancestral tribe. The dizzying pattern, called “binakol” (also binakul or binakel), is said to confuse the adversary and ward off evil spirits. But here I have chosen to use the pattern to create an embossed effect. It’s important to note that the art of Inabel weaving, produced by the Ilocano people (northern Philippines), has been slowly disappearing in lieu of modern industrial techniques. But in recent years, the fashion industry has been trying to revive the use of Inabel fabrics to keep the dying Ilocano art alive, and to elevate it’s use in high fashion. In the same spirit, I have chosen to pay homage to Ilocano designs here.
Artist Bio: Filipina American artist, Rose Datoc Dall is an award winning contemporary figurative painter known for her bold colors and graphic compositions. Her most iconic pieces are sacred works on the life of the Savior, and contemporary portraits that explore her heritage. Rose received her BFA in Fine Art Studio and Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Rose is a wife and mother of 4 adult children, and grandmother or “Lola” to 3 grandchildren.
