Soft Wilderness

Janine Tolores
Carl “CAPA” Parohinog

April 25-May 30, 2025

Artists:
Janine Tolores, Carl “CAPA” Parohinog

April 25 – May 30, 2025
Soft Wilderness brings together works by Janine Tolores and Carl Parohinog which were created in the course of their residency at Haboean. Over the past few months, the artists have been working closely on-site, spending time in the studio, observing the surrounding environment within and beyond Aklan, and creating small-scale works that engage with local flora and fauna through painting on piña textile. This exhibition serves as a prelude to a larger body of work that continues to develop throughout their residency. The artists are guided by reference materials provided by PhilinCon, a conservation group dedicated to protecting endangered species in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPNP). They work with photographs documenting local biodiversity, including the maya, chestnut munia, and native orchids; various elements which serve as visual anchors in their exploration of flora and fauna through painting. Their chosen material, piña, is closely tied to the weaving traditions of Aklan and to Haboean’s context as a working studio. Beyond being a local fiber, piña also becomes a metaphor for the fragile ecologies they attend to. Each work is made using liniwan, the finest grade of piña, a scarce and highly valued textile– one that demands precision, care, and a conscious refusal of waste.

View the Exhibition Catalogue