Mindanaotoday.com | OFW wins Arabian hearts with his art
By: Elizabeth S. Biantan
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After 31 years working as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia, Larry Carumba is getting ready to go home for good when his contract as executive secretary to the senior director in a medical supplies company ends this year.
He is reaping the rewards of decades of hard work and he has achieved his goal of alleviating his family’s economic situation.
A spacious 500-square meter residence in a high-end subdivision awaits him.
This is also where he will house his art studio and gallery, his business office and his numerous antique collections.
His odyssey started in 1992, when Larry at age 28 joined the exodus of Filipinos seeking higher-paying jobs overseas.
With a diploma in business management (from the University of La Salle, Bacolod) under his belt, he landed his first job in Saudi Arabia as a salesman in a retail company.
The strict and regimented life in Islam-ruled Saudi Arabia laid the ground for him to embark on his artistic journey.
During his days off from work, he dabbled in painting at his apartment to make use of his free time.
Then, instead of spending money on shopping, he bought painting materials and seriously taught himself to paint.
He has always been a true blue artist. In fact, the house where he grew up in Victorias City, Negros Occidental was filled with his collection of art works from local artists.
However, he never had a chance to study arts in school because it is a reality for the working class that a career in visual arts is not going to put food on the table.
Against the backdrop of solitude in his host country, he immersed himself in researching subjects he was inclined to, which were basically about nature.
He meticulously studied the characteristics of every subject he wanted to create and experimented with different art styles, honing his technique and skills until he eventually developed a concept and style called Naturalism.
After eleven years of quiet perseverance at perfecting his craft, he grew confident enough to display his ability and in 2003, he joined the on-the-spot painting competition conducted by the Philippine Embassy for its Independence Day celebrations.
From thereon, he joined and won many competitions and his talent started to get noticed and recognized.
However, his big break would not come until years later.
In October 2010, he was invited to join the 2nd Real Colors International Art Exhibition held in Holiday Inn at Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Larry exhibited three “experimental” paintings. It was the first major exposure of a Filipino artist in the Kingdom and immediately, the event became a crowd-drawer with members of royalty and the art elite in the Arab society in attendance.
The three paintings he exhibited were snapped up by eager buyers.
Taking advantage of the momentum his artistic career was taking, Larry held his first solo exhibit two months later in December 2010.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ghada Bint Abdullaziz Al Saud and other Saudi society elite in the government and military, rubbed shoulders with the Filipino community and embassy officials at the opening.
The seven-day exhibition was an absolute success.
Her Royal Highness Al Saud as well as some European art collectors, were among the buyers of his 30-piece collection exhibited at the Heritage Gallery of Arabs which, until that day, was exclusively an Arabs-only venue.
From thereon, he was invited by almost every art organization in Saudi Arabia, such as the Saudi British Consulate, Saudi Aramco, to name a few, to participate in their art exhibits, making him a regular exhibitor.
In 2012 he became the first OFW to be selected to participate in the International Saudi Artists Exhibit spearheaded by one of the Saudi Princesses under the flagship of Al Baylasan for Arts.
His paintings were applauded by the Saudi and foreign art community during the launch.
Art critics were amazed by his new art style and concept which has never been seen before in any of the art exhibitions organized by the Kingdom.
That same year he entered into a contract with Emirates Airlines of UAE for the use of one of his paintings in the global marketing campaign of their Skyward Membership Card.
With his paintings now gracing the walls of the houses of celebrities, politicians, CEOs, businessmen, ambassadors, labor attaches in countries as far as South Africa, the USA (New York, Chicago, Texas, California), the UK, Greece, Australia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, among others, Larry has decided, with a heavy heart to leave his host country for good.
With the legacy he has built not only in the Saudi Arabian art society but also internationally, he aims to continue his mission to promote Filipino arts and culture for as long as he has the capacity to do so.
He is profusely grateful to the country that provided him the opportunities to find his niche in the world of art. (MT)
If you are interested in Larry’s art contact the Marketing Department of Mindanao Today at 09651980953.
(Elizabeth S. Biantan is a freelance writer born in Victorias City, Negros Occidental and now based in Cagayan de Oro City.)
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