Beyond the womb

“Beyond the womb: The journey to motherhood”
Sun.Star Davao, May 11, 2019

Dabawenya artist Tanya Gaisano-Lee’s ongoing art exhibit “Beyond the Womb” is something very personal as she passionately worked on the series throughout her challenging journey to motherhood.

“It was not easy. In fact, motherhood was a lengthy process which dragged for three long years.  Art became an outlet for all my frustrations for questions that were never answered on why initially we could not conceive”, opens up Tanya who is married to businessman Jerick James Lee.

Artistically inclined since she was little, Tanya shares that she has never enjoyed the usual math and academic subjects. “Art class was the highlight of school when I was younger. I would always doodle and draw (although nothing of significance) during high school while my teacher was lecturing”, she smiles with mischief.

In college, Tanya took up Child Development and Education (CDE) from the University of Asia and the Pacific. “After I graduated with my Master of Arts in CDE, I had a series of temporary teaching jobs working in a couple of international schools in Manila as a substitute teacher. I also taught English to foreign children. Eventually, I left for Beijing and Shanghai to teach English there as well and to be with my older brother”, the avid succulent enthusiast says.

“I never had a serious career in anything, I never ever felt like anything fit quite right until I found my art”, admits Tanya who did not have any formal training in this creative field. She describes her art style as “contemporary and something modern with a twist”.

Tanya has previously joined several group exhibits held at SM Lanang Premier and Abreeza Mall in Davao. Her first solo exhibit in Manila was staged at the Crucible Art Gallery at SM Megamall last year with the theme, “Erotic Art”.

For her “Beyond the Womb” solo exhibit, she is featuring 30 art pieces all bordering on a subject so close to her heart. “I work better when I’m mad or unhappy. Depending on the size, it takes me a couple of days to finish an artwork”, reveals Tanya who plans to hold art exhibits yearly.

Her favorite piece from the series is the husband and wife hugging one another. “She isn’t even pregnant yet, but it shows both their frustration to conceive and relief from each other’s nude embrace”, intimates Tanya. She met her husband during her grade school and high school days at the Ateneo de Davao.

Now that they are blessed with their adorable one-year-old daughter, Jana Emmanuelle, the once sore subject of motherhood has turned into a beautiful one.

“From my own experience, I feel like motherhood doesn’t only start when you deliver your baby. It starts much earlier when you do decide to have a child before you even conceive, and before your mindset changes. The way you live your life, the decisions you make are affected way before. Way beyond”, Tanya reflects.

The “Beyond the Womb” art exhibition is open to the public until May 31, 2019, at the Marco Polo Davao lobby, C.M. Recto St., Davao City.

Happy Mother’s Day!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.