The rice hull protects the rice grain, but at the end of its “life,” it is usually dumped or burned after milling, left as agricultural waste. This destiny of the rice hull is changed through artists’ creativity.
In a new exhibit titled “In Progress of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)” in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, rice hulls and their carbonized form are used as medium in one of the exhibit’s five artworks. The materials, which are indigenous in rice farming communities, are showcased with acrylic and glow-in-the-dark painting.
Installed at the hallway of PhilRice main building, the pieces express the Institute’s aspiration – to help the country achieve rice security by advocating “Quality Rice. Quality Life.” Sonny Boy B. Pangilinan and Jude Klarence C. Pangilinan, PhilRice in-house artists, created the artworks.
“Hope”, the exhibit centerpiece made from rice hull and its carbonized form, shows that farmers remain optimistic amidst hardship and challenges.
“I observed that farmers do not get tired working for a better life,” Sonny said, uncovering the interpretation of his glow-in-the-dark painting.
“Flow of life” in acrylic paint, honors the farmers who adopt machines in pursuit of more harvest.
“Bright future”, also a glow in the dark painting, conveys researchers’ and extension workers’ role in ensuring that knowledge, improved varieties, and technologies on rice farming are easily available and accessible to reduce farm toil. The painting also tries to motivate the youth to engage in agriculture as it is becoming a good business venture, and smart technologies are being developed to make farming easier and more profitable.
“Rice science for development” in acrylic paint, recognizes the scientists efforts on breeding new varieties so rice can cope with the changes in rice ecosystems and for farmers to produce high-yielding and good quality rice.
“Quality life” also in acrylic paint, shares one of our goals – to help the Filipinos achieve quality life – free from worries on rice shortage, farmers’ low income, and poor nutrition.
“It took us two months to produce the artworks; squeezing them at night as we have our usual office work in the morning. Through these pieces, we hope that we have served as a voice for the people we care for – the rice farmers, and of those who are helping them attain abundant harvest,” Jude Klarence, the artist who produced four of the pieces, said.
