"Ginintuang Suklay" Acrylic on Banana Stalk Fiber 9 x 12 inches
Ginintuang Suklay is an exquisite, intimate work that intertwines cultural symbolism with the unique qualities of natural materials. Painted on banana stalk fiber, this piece uses acrylics to bring vivid color and texture to a traditional Filipino icon: the suklay, or comb. The title, which translates to "Golden Comb," evokes both the literal and metaphorical significance of the comb as a symbol of beauty, ritual, and care in Filipino culture.
The 9 x 12-inch format offers a focused space where the artist’s masterful brushwork contrasts against the organic texture of the banana stalk fiber. This juxtaposition of media emphasizes the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, heritage and individual expression. The gleaming gold tones in the piece reference not only the aesthetic qualities of the comb but also the deeper cultural associations of gold as a symbol of wealth, prestige, and identity within Filipino society.
Ginintuang Suklay invites reflection on the personal and collective rituals that shape identity, while showcasing the artist's ability to reimagine a familiar cultural object in a fresh, contemporary context. The work is both an homage to Filipino traditions and a celebration of the beauty of natural, sustainable materials in art.
