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Fil-Canadian's photobook featured at Moncton exhibit

A Fil-Canadian photographer's award-winning photobook is featured at an exhibit in Moncton, New Brunswick.

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<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7kCMzrq-I20?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>Filipino-Canadian photographer Ranz Jaren Bontogon was recently honored as the featured artist at Moncton Public Library in New Brunswick.The event marked the first time a Filipino artist has received the spotlight at the library.Bontogon’s solo exhibit showcases his photobook “Sa Pilipinas: Filipino Culture, Funerals, &amp; Fiestas,” which captures his journey of reconnecting with his Philippine roots.&quot;I grew up in the Philippines and moved to Moncton when I was just 13 years old,&quot; he shared. &quot;I had to adapt to my new environment, and it felt like I was truly disconnected. As I reflected on this, I brainstormed the idea that I needed to return to the Philippines to reconnect with and embrace my cultural identity.&quot;The photobook features 132 black-and-white images, with essays on each chapter about the history and culture of the Philippines.It started with a proposal project that Bontogon worked on during his time at Mount Allison University, where he graduated last year.His work earned him the prestigious Marjorie Young Bell Fine Arts &amp; Music Award, a recognition for outstanding achievements in connecting cultures through visual storytelling.He also received a $6,000 grant to fund his project.&quot;It was the expression of joy and happiness and spontaneity,&quot; said Moncton South assembly member Greg Turner of Bontogon&#x27;s works.Bontogon is dedicated to the craft of art, which he believes should be made by hand. In his photographs, he used an analog camera and developed the film by himself.&quot;The photos are beautiful, amazing,&quot; sid ArtsLink NB&#x27;s Jessica Dunphy. &quot;How lucky are we in Moncton, this little tiny town, to have this kind of talent and to have this kind of representation of a world that we don&#x27;t know.&quot;Bontogon hopes his work will inspire the second generation of Filipinos abroad to embrace their cultural identity.&quot;We are proud of Ranz,&quot; said Bontogon&#x27;s mother Jennifer. &quot;He has really grown up well. His foundation is strong.&quot;Said Bontogon&#x27;s father Randel: &quot;I am grateful because he pursued what I had dreamed of doing in the past. My wife and I are very happy. He has fulfilled what was in his heart.&quot;Meanwhile, the local government of Moncton has shown strong support for artists like Bontogon and honors their contributions to the city.&quot;We often used to say in the arts sector, you can bridge the gaps and the differences by connecting through the arts because there’s no language issue here,&quot; said Deputy Mayor Paulette Thériault. &quot;I hope we have more Ranz coming up so we can really enjoy and discover the culture of the people.&quot;Bontogon is already working on his next project, which he shared will highlight the Filipino community in New Brunswick.

A Fil-Canadian photographer's award-winning photobook is featured at an exhibit in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Fil-Canadian's photobook featured at Moncton exhibit

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Fil-Canadian's photobook featured at Moncton exhibit

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Jocelyn Reyes Sambilay | TFC News Moncton

Published Aug 19, 2024 12:55 PM PHT

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Lifestyle

Art

Photography

Canada

Moncton

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Filipino Canadian

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