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ILHAM COLLECTION
Left Wing Project (Jalan Kiri Belok Terus) Wing 10
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Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan
Left Wing Project (Jalan Kiri Belok Terus) Wing 10
2018

Left Wing Project is a series of works that examine the complex socio-political struggles that contemporary agrarian societies face across Asia. Made from numerous hand-forged sickles sourced from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and fashioned into the shape of a left angel wing, the work references the history of Yogyakarta and its disenfranchised blacksmith communities. The artists’ poetic critique of economic globalism is manifest in the play and tension between material weight and visual lightness.
Details
Medium:
Wood and sickle
Dimension:
163 x 210 cm
Date:
2018
Credit Line:
Collection of ILHAM Foundation
Copyright:
© Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan
About Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan

Alfredo Juan was born in Ballesteros, Cagayan, Philippines in 1962, and Isabel Aquilizan y Gaudinez was born in Manila, Philippines in 1965. The collaborative activities of the wife and husband artist team have evolved within the spheres of family and community, including personal relationships with other artists. For years they have been exploring the meaning of “home” and a sense of “belonging”, as they travelled extensively for work, finding and re-defining the notion of “identity”, while dealing with the hardships of displacement. The Aquilizans are currently based in Brisbane with their five children. Together they have exhibited at several international exhibitions, including the 50th International Art Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia (2003); the 5th Gwangju Biennale (2004); the 15th Biennale of Sydney (2006); the Singapore Biennale (2008); the Liverpool Biennial (2010); and the 11th Sharjah Biennial (2013).

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Discussion


Feathers and wings are often symbols associated with freedom, lightness and divinity. However, in this piece, they are contrasted with earthy elements and the sharpness of the material. 


  • What do you think the artists are trying to convey with this contrast?

  • The earthy elements are represented by the use of wood and sickle. What do you think these materials represent?

  • Looking at the piece as a whole, what new meaning do wings and feathers now take on? Give your own perspective.


**Like Adeela Suleman’s work, the artists combine contrasting themes. How do you think the two works are similar and/or different? 


Activity


Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan often use everyday materials in their artworks. They are also a husband/wife team and often collaborate with communities and invite them to contribute to the making of the artwork. For this work, they went to Yogyakarta in Indonesia and worked with the artists, farmers, and blacksmiths in making this work.

  • Take a walk outside, around your school, backyard or neighbourhood, and see what kinds of natural materials you can find. This may include leaves, sticks, seeds and feathers. 

  • Using the materials found, try working with a partner, perhaps a friend or family member and see what collaborative artwork the two (or more) of you can display together.
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