Bicolano artist banners PHL in Malaysia art exhibit

^{Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur}

Bicolano artist Pancho Piano is the sole representative of the Philippines and Southeast Asia in a recent art exhibit at Malaysia.

Piano's stained glass and abstract paintings are part of Art Expo Malaysia (AEM) Plus 2016, a public exhibit held at MATRADE Exhibition and Exhibit Center in Kuala Lumpur.

His paintings were the only representation for the Southeast Asian region in the AEM's Embassy Row, which includes works from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, France, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Mongolia, Romania and Russia.

Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya said it was an honor to have the multi-awarded artist represent the country in the embassy's fourth year of participation at the AEM.

"We are pleased that he has agreed to be our representative for this year, as we aspire to bring the best of the Philippine art scene in Malaysia," Malaya said.

Piano's pieces draw from the "mysticism and traditions of his Bicolano roots" and his "devotion to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia."

His murals, stained glass designs, and leather art have been commissioned by civic and religious patrons in the Philippines, Japan, Saipan, and Palau.

The artist has also mounted more than 40 solo exhibitions and participated in over 150 group exhibitions in the Philippines, Japan, Saipan, the United States, France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Brunei Darussalam, Georgia, Australia, and Slovakia.

AEM Plus is open to the pubic and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on October 20 to 22, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 23. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News