Franklin Caña Valencia

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I might not have the luxury of time to know him deeper, but the many possibilities of meeting him in person,  I can say that I have a  positive reading of this artist. We have had the opportunity to be together in many exhibits in Manila, but it was our participation in Langkawi Art Biennale and Perak Pior Art Trail that i have known him better. More than enjoying his jokes, I truly admire his professionalism in relation to his artistry (by Celso D. Pepito)


A protegee of the late Malang Santos, ArtPortalCebu is proud to feature Franklin Caña as one of our exhibitors for the incoming Visayas Art Fair 2022. Have a glimpse of his two entries for the Art Fair.

FRANKLIN CAÑA VALENCIA

In sports, dance, music and art, Filipinos are known to be gifted in these fields. And as they showcase their talents with much sincerity, it is not farfetch that their competitiveness will often bore them awards and recognition.

In the field of sports, Manny Pacquiao attained worldwide fame as he showcased his great skills in boxing.  And looking at the Filipinos' passion for art, one great example that bore them triumph happened in May of 1884,  when the legendary artist, Juan Luna has won the Exposition Nacional de Bellas Artes held in Madrid, Spain. He was awarded the first of the three Gold Medals intended for that competition with his piece entitled  Spoliarium. Luna  has strongly depicted in this artwork the many difficulties experienced by the Filipinos under the rule of the Spaniards.  

In September 5, 2022, same accolade happened again when Franklin Caña won in the PLEIN AIR COMPETITION held at Kinta Riverfront Walk in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.  Caña opted to title his work: PEKLAT SA NAKARAAN (Scars of the past) depicting his positive and negative reactions on the effect of Tin Mining Industry at Gunung Lang, implemented by the British government in the year 1800. 

Though, that mining industry has ruined the natural beauty of  the area, and has given less benefits to Malaysian citizens than that of the British government, Caña is thankful that after the Malaysians have gained their independence, Gunung Lang is now transformed into one well visited tourist destination in Malaysia, given them opportunity to gain more financial profits to continually help develop Ipoh attracting more tourist in the future.

The Plein Air Competition was  organized as part of five day activities under the  PIOR PERAK ART TRAIL. The  Art Symposium was aimed at strengthening the spirit of brotherhood among its participants from Brunei, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. It also hopes to signify a stronger art collaborations among participants, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding the innate  cultural and artistic heritage of each country.

𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗟𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗔Ñ𝗔 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗔,
signs his art 𝗖𝗔Ñ𝗔 his middle name.


Caña's style is using a myriad of colors
and patterns like the glass marbles that
he used to play in the streets as a child.
His works display a kaleidoscope of beautiful shapes and figures. Mostly showing prism
of light and colors that molded into half-moon patterns like letters C & D.

He has exhibited in Hong Kong, Malaysia,
Singapore, and cities like Jeddah, KSA, New York, Los Angeles, Arizona, USA; Paris, France and Geneva Switzerland.

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