Thank you... TIME OUT DUBAI.

I had an interesting interview recently from one of the popular 'zines here in the UAE and this is what came out of it. It was rather short cause I was actually in the office when Christopher Lord, the Arts and Culture Editor of Time Out Dubai, who was actually one of the Red Bull Art of Can judges, called me for this phone chat.

What makes this refreshing is that I was able to express somehow that there is an ongoing struggle of 'Filipino Artists' hunger to expose their works,' in this country. And if by any means I could have started the fire with this comment... so be it, I have to thank Christopher and Time Out Dubai for printing it.

Guhit Pinoy UAE regular art session held in Safa Park, Dubai. December 2008.

Image courtesy of Arian Marcos.

TIME OUT DUBAI 22 December 2008

What's happening in this painting?

It's about the different nationalities of the UAE all rushing after a diet red bull can. This is supposed to be the last one in the country, and the mob is rushing to get it. (You can read the rest of the interview here)

Red Bull Art of Can - Dubai 2008

You can finally see the official coverage of the Red Bull Art of Can 2008 in this link...
http://www.redbullartofcan.ae/

Don't forget to click the Media Space to see the Official Press Release or click here for... Red Bull's International Website.

Kindly visit the Gallery too, to see stunning works of art made by the Emirates' awesome artists!!!

Other links...

THE NATIONAL Newspaper by Ed Lake

---- The National Newspaper - Snippet

GULF NEWS by Amelia Naidoo

GULF NEWS Xpress Magazine by Pauline M. Forte

BUSINESS 24-7 Middle East Edition by Bindu Rai

WE DID IT!!!

This is one of the most unusual feeling i've ever felt in my entire life.

Last time I felt this was during my wedding and now..., after several years of painful struggles here in Dubai and Abu Dhabi I've finally come to claim a worthy prize. A prize aspired by many artists around the world, and here in the Emirates... We finally did it!!!

Yes..., the Grand Prize winner in the last Red Bull Art of Can 2008 edition here in the UAE!

My piece that I just posted down there, won it for us. Us, yes..., because there were several important people for me that played a vital role for this victory.

First of course is my wife Maria, who just arrived here in Abu Dhabi a few days before I actually started this piece. The angel who was always standing beside me, during the nights I created this work and up to the night we claim the award. My best friend, my strength, my inspiration.

My colleagues from GuhitPinoy UAE, Japat Guevarra, Ferdie Bernales, Jeff Quinones, Melissa Guevarra, Edward Yap, Orly, Bernard, Melchor, Jon, Jorald, Raks and all our members this trophy is ours.

GuhitPinoy Global this is for us too! Thanks for the motivation guys... especially to Edbon S., Randy V., Val P., Sonny DS, Gil Arceo, Dell Barras, Mark C., Marboy M., and to all KaGuhit... Tagumpay natin lahat ito!!!

My company here in Abu Dhabi, that sustains my living, Viola Communications and the rest of the gang. Thank you for all the good words.

My mother-in-law who believed in my creativity even before I officially became her son. To my wife's brothers and sisters and all my relatives I offer this to you.

And of course to my father Bob Turda, who served as my guiding light and introduced me to the world of arts. To my sister who always believes. My mother who's up there with God's angels watching all these triumphs. Thanks for being a part of me.

TAGUMPAY ITO NG LAHING PILIPINO! KARANGALAN PARA SA PILIPINAS! MABUHAY ANG DUGONG PINOY!!!

To God be the Glory!

I AM LEGEND

This gouache painting entitled "I Am Legend" (The Last of the BullyCans) got me qualified as a finalist in the recent 2008 edition of the "Red Bull Art of Can" national competition here in Dubai. Tomorrow, December 04 will be the Awards night and the regular exhibit will run from Dec 05-19 at The Galleria, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.

Inspired by the movie of the same title, the fictional painting depicts the story of the last Red Bull can in the UAE. Artwork size is 122cm X 60cm, mounting board using gouache paints.