Prolific Filipino-Kiwi artist Louie Bretaña has been nominated for the Filipino News Award for Outstanding Filipino-Kiwi Artist 2024.
Photo above by Mel Fernandez / Migrant News
AUCKLAND – Over the years Filipino News has been featuring the exhibitions of Auckland based Filipino-Kiwi artist Louie Bretaña.
He has parental roots from both Manila and the Visayan province of Iloilo.
After a career as a creative director in the Philippines advertising industry, Bretaña immigrated to New Zealand in 2011 where he undertook his long-held ambition to become a practicing artist.
Bretaña’s discourse addresses the impact of colonialism, both historical and contemporary and its ongoing manifestation within a modern Pacific context.
Bretaña’s astute observations are captured in engaging visual experiences including sculpture, performance and jewellery.
Since 2016, Bretaña has participated in more than 21 exhibition projects including the solo exhibitions Eat My Rice – Performance Art Week Aotearoa 2017, Playstation, Wellington, ‘Syokes’, Objectspace, Auckland, 2021 and ‘Tumingala Sa Tinitingala Na Mga Tala,’Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery, Titiranagi, 2021.
At the Bergman Gallery in Auckland, he was featured in the following art exhibitions: Pride & Prejudice from 22 February 2023, A Place to call Home on 15th June 2023, Horizon from 12th October 2023 and 5 Painters from 22 December 2023.
Bretaña was a finalist in the 2022 Parkins Prize, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington and the Molly Morpeth Canaday 3D Award, Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi, Whakatane.
He holds a BFA with First Class Honours and MFA with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland Elam School of Fine Arts and a BFA from the Philippines College of Fine Art, University of the Philippines.
Showcasing Artists’ Perspectives on Belonging and Cultural Evolution
By Ricky Matthew
Auckland – June 15 2023 marked the opening of ‘A Place to Call Home’ – the first group exhibition of contemporary New Zealand Asian art, curated by the Bergman Gallery.
This groundbreaking exhibition aimed to highlight the generational presence of Asian New Zealanders and the pivotal role their art plays in shaping the country’s contemporary cultural landscape.
Through various artistic mediums such as paintings, photography, sculpture, and ceramics, this exhibition showcased the artists’ exploration of ancestral legacies and the concept of home and belonging within the context of New Zealand.
The narratives expressed by the participating artists in ‘A Place to Call Home’ resonated with traditions from across the Pacific and Asian continent, embracing diverse cultural influences from Korea, China, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia, Persia, and the Middle East.
These traditions have merged with their New Zealand values and identity, generating a commanding dialogue with distinct voices, stories, and perspectives. The exhibition presents a biographical exploration of cultural evolution within the broader New Zealand population.
Louie Bretaña, a Filipino artist, shared his perspective on the artworks he contributed to the exhibition. “It’s all exploring the difference. My pieces at this exhibition are all exploring the narratives of our pre-colonial deities.”
Bretaña’s artworks depict the safety of fire and volcano, the symbolism of nature, and the representation of local stories intertwined with Filipino aesthetics. His works draw inspiration from Filipino cultural heritage and merge it with the local New Zealand context.
The creative genius of Louie Bretaña
By Sheila Mariano
PARNELL, Auckland – As I was casually walking along Parnell Road recently a flamboyant rooster sculpture in one of the shop windows caught my eye. I did a double take, because it was stunning and vaguely familiar. On a card at the feet of the rooster it said: ‘Ang Sarimanok’ designed by Louie Bretana.
I had to investigate further. The shop attendant at Trenzseater informed me that the rooster sculpture was not for sale. It was one of 38 life-sized rooster sculptures by various artists that are being showcased at art galleries and select retailers till 12th February 2017 as part of a unique ‘Year of the Rooster Exhibition’ to welcome in the Chinese New Year. At the close of the exhibition the roosters were auctioned for charity on 16 February 2017. Profits from the auction went to the National Air Ambulance Service.
At pinoyculture.com ‘Ang Sarimanok’ is described as the legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao. It comes from the words ‘sari’, colourful cloth or garment and ‘manok’ for chicken. The Sarimanok is said to be a symbol of good fortune.
The creative genius behind this spectacular sculpture is Louie Bretana, a Filipino artist based in Auckland. “I created ‘Ang Sarimanok’ for the Parnell Business Association’s rooster exhibition,” Louie confirmed when I contacted him. “I hope you liked my homage to our heritage?” I responded. “I didn’t like it. I loved it! I took a photo of your work of art and posted it on my personal Facebook page and now I’d like everyone to know about it.”
“Ay wow, salamat ha!” said Louie. “That’s very flattering at nakakataba ng puso to hear it from my kababayans. And of course it would be my honour and pleasure to be featured in your paper.”
“Are you an artist by profession?” I enquired. “I was a graduate of UP College of Fine Arts and I used to be a creative director in advertising in the Philippines,” explained Louie. “But I found it hard to break into the New Zealand advertising industry kasi wala akong local experience. So I decided to focus on art. I am currently in my last year retaking a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at the ELAM School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland.
“I plan to continue my practice and establish myself as a contemporary artist here in New Zealand. But the key to that is for me to recognise my identity and heritage as it will define me and my work. Becoming a migrant has given me a renewed appreciation for the things I took for granted and I am on a personal journey of rediscovering my love for art and my heritage.
“I’ve been here in NZ for the past 5 years. I recently got my citizenship, so I feel a little bit of nostalgia for the Philippines. I guess that is part of what inspires the direction of my work – to revisit my cultural heritage.”
The inspiration for ‘Ang Sarimanok’
By Louie Bretana
The Sarimanok is an iconic rooster in the mythology of the Maranao, an indigenous community in the southern Philippines. It has numerous origin stories, most connecting it to the union of nobility, heroes and deities; a rich and brilliant creature that bridged the world of the seen and the unseen.
Its palette of bright colors and gold have made it a symbol of wealth, power and prestige. Its characteristic depiction with a fish clutched in its beak or claws can be seen as a sign of providence and good fortune in the context of a culture borne from an archipelago surrounded by the sea.
With this as the inspiration ‘Ang Sarimanok’ comes to life with an unabashed riot of colours that reflect the vibrant Filipino culture. Gold accents inspired by ethnic patterns, wire sculpture flourishes and over 400 Swarovski crystals elevate the majestic rooster to a regal and royal stature befitting a homage to my cultural heritage and a tribute to my adopted home.
