Over 20 contemporary Negrense artists—including noted senior artists Nunelucio Alvarado, Rafael Paderna, Charlie Co, and Dennis Ascalon—join creative forces on September 1 (Saturday) in “UNREFINING SUGARLANDIA,” the first contemporary art exhibit to be held at the recently renovated second floor of the “new” Negros Museum.

Running for a three-month exhibition period, “UNREFINING SUGARLANDIA” challenges the artists to take a critical look at their home province, unpacking truths beneath the gloss of tourism advertisements and government-funded publicity campaigns. The outcome is a collection that explores themes such as the history of sugar in Negros and the resulting political and economic hierarchy; the repercussions of the current-day market economy; the behavioral characteristics of Negrense society; and the destruction of the once-lush environment that, more than a century ago, had beckoned to planters and opportunists from nearby Panay island. The exhibit is an expanded version of the successful show of the same name initiated by Gallery Orange Bacolod and held at Secret Fresh Gallery in Magallanes, Makati City, in early March of this year, at the tail-end of national arts month.

Curated by Georgina Luisa O. Jocson, “UNREFINING SUGARLANDIA” will feature the artworks of different generations of Negrense artists, led by senior artists Alvarado, Paderna, Co, and Ascalon. Adding their creative inputs are Faye Aleya Abantao, Moreen Austria, Neil Benavente, Hilario Campos III, Barry Cervantes, Jay-R Delleva, Katarina Estrada, Joe Geraldo, Karina Broce Gonzaga, Frelan Gonzaga, Jovito Hecita, Darel Javier, Raymond Legaspi, Erika Mayo, Emilio Montelibano Jr, Alan Ong, Michael John Pama, Susanito Sarnate, and Roderick Tijing. Comprising almost all-new works, the collection of 20-plus large paintings, sculptures, and installations will occupy the entire second floor of The Negros Museum. This inaugural contemporary art exhibit is made possible through the auspices of the Angelica Berrie Foundation.