1978 / Painted and dyed cloth on plywood / 154 x 129 cm / Artist: Manuel Rodriguez Jr aka Boy Rodriguez / Cultural Center of the Philippines collection

Rodriguez has experimented with a large variety of indigenous materials, textures, and techniques while challenging familiar processes. His explorations have led him to discover the traditional arts of cultural communities, such as the Ifugao and Tinguian in the north, the Maranao and Tausug groups in the south, and other creative groups like the Tboli and Bagobo also in Mindanao. Inspired by the weaves of these ethnic groups, Rodriguez has done a number of tapestries using their materials and weaving techniques.

In this work influenced by Tinguian weaves, the tapestry is done in a supplementary weft-weaving technique accented at intervals by knots of cloth incorporated into the threads. This technique lends the work an appearance of a system of notations, literary or musical. Rodriguez, however, goes from the ethnic to the individualistic when he embellishes the weave with minute marks and random scribblings. These include tiny accents of gold foil for ornamentation in a personal and unorthodox approach, which reinforces the consciously naive quality of the work.

The artist’s avowed concern in tapestry making is to merge fiber craft with art. Rodriguez also did a number of large-scale hangings and prints on cloth, experimenting with local dyes in a batik process.