Interview Gabrielle de la Cruz
Images Metrobank Foundation (MADE 2023) and Zarlien Delgado
S P E C I A L C I T A T I O N
Watermedia on Paper Category
Zarlien Delgado
Some threads are made of flesh and blood
Zarlien Delgado’s painting, “Some threads are made of flesh and blood,” received a Special Citation Award under the Watermedia on Paper category. It is a multi-generational family portrait that treads the line between craft and fine art to portray an enduring story of honor and love that is nurtured at home. At its core, the painting interlaces narratives on domesticity, femininity, and maternity that resonate a feeling of warmth and embrace. The work questions the fundamental roles that mothers play in the lives of their daughters, shaping the women that they eventually become. Text by Janine Bernardo of Metrobank Foundation
Hello Zarlien! How do you feel about your recent MADE win? Who was the first person you told when you received the news?
Zarlien Delgado: I am very happy and overwhelmed until now. The first person I told was my husband.
Some threads are made of flesh and blood honors the craft that my grandmother and mother passed on to me. It is my way of immortalizing this history, depicting how love has nurtured our home. It is a great experience to have this personal painting recognized by MADE.
Would you say that your family is your biggest artistic influence? What role did they play in your discovery of your personal style?
Zarlien Delgado: Yes, my family is my biggest artistic influence. My parents both have artistic pursuits. My father is a furniture artisan, and my mother is a dressmaker. Being exposed to their craft allowed me to find my own path. They encourage me to do what I love, and they are very supportive of my artistic journey.
“I love doing portraits and capturing different emotions by showcasing different facial expressions. Moving forward, I intend to explore social realism and connect with issues in the community and society through my art.”
Your piece is a visual representation of how the art of dressmaking is passed on and honed from generation to generation. Are there any similarities between dressmaking and painting in terms of both principles and processes? How does your knowledge of the craft influence you as an artist?
Zarlien Delgado: I personally design and stitch dresses, so I am very particular about how a piece should come out. My process in dressmaking is very similar to the way I paint—by applying principles of design such as line, contrast, balance, and even color theory.
You mentioned that you often like to paint figures and illustrate human emotions through your work. What other concepts do you aim to explore through your art? What messages do you wish to convey?
Zarlien Delgado: I love doing portraits and capturing different emotions by showcasing different facial expressions. Moving forward, I intend to explore social realism and connect with issues in the community and society through my art.
What do you think is the importance of competitions such as MADE to an artist’s creative journey? How would you describe its impact on your personal journey thus far?
Zarlien Delgado: For young artists like me, competitions like MADE are great opportunities for exposure. These allow our works and messages to reach more audiences. I also consider MADE as a platform that provides more artistic learning and overall creative exposure. Personally, the MADE experience has inspired and motivated me to create more art. •
The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). MBFI envisions to be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development. Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos; Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE); Metrobank Scholarship Program (MSP); Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC); Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country.
As a development organization, MBFI aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared-purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the Foundation continuously expands its scope of reach and is at the forefront in serving communities. As the heart of the Metrobank Group, “Excel. Engage. Empower” or the 3Es remains its roadmap.
