The PHILIPPINE CENTER of New York is pleased to announce an exhibition of Filipino Photographers/Artists Debbie Arcangeles and Donna Samonte. The exhibition features portrait and landscape prints from the artists’ hometown, which inspired the title "Doon Po Sa Amin (In Our Hometown)”.
Debbie Arcangeles (b. Roxas City, Philippines) emigrated from Roxas City, Philippines at 8 to join her mother in New York City. Arcangeles began photography at Queens College where she was inspired by timeless photographers such as August Sanders, and Robert Frank.
Arcangeles’ body of work focuses on individuals and environments that are very close to her heart. Before Roxas City, her earlier work documented the struggles of the Junk Yard workers in Willets Point, Queens NY. The Willets Point series, once concluded, inspired her to return to the Philippines to begin her next photographic series, Roxas City.
Returning to that city enabled her to form bonds and reconnect with people she knew from her childhood. Arcangeles was inspired by their stories, as she had been by the workers in the Willets Point Junk Yards, and wanted to share these moments through the medium of photography.
Donna Samonte (b. Angadanan Isabela, Philippines) is a self-taught photographer. She reveals that she is “not so particular with the technicalities of a photo but rather its resonance.”
She finds inspiration in everyday life. She does a lot of outdoor and nature photography in color but admits that black and white is closer to her heart, an obvious influence of the works of the late Ansel Adams.
With her backpack and enthusiasm in tow, her "love for traveling, exploring life and photography" has brought her to various places in Europe, Asia and the Americas to capture the beauty of nature as she sees it. Her works have been shown in group exhibits in New York, New Jersey and in Manila.
Born and raised in Isabela, Philippines, this New Jersey-based lens woman is a citizen of the world, a universal talent whose body of work is capable of touching people regardless of race, color or creed.
You are all invited to come and visit the show.
