One of the things that I love most about Cebuano artists is that they always find ways not just to grow as an artist, but also to create something that will set them apart from the mundane. Regardless of technique, medium or style, Cebuano artists have their own way of handling their brushes. 

One of such artist whose works graced Museo Sugbo is Novereich Agustin. Novereich's solo art exhibit dubbed as The Language of Flowers served as an open space for him to showcase his identity as an artist primarily by his chosen medium and subject. His works present beautifully haunting art pieces which will make any viewer simultaneously imagine and ask questions.

Novereich's work seeks to translate what flowers long to speak. Inspired heavily by the decorative style of Art Nouveau on the 18th century, his collection embraces jewelry, clay, and makeup that works perfectly together creating a modern, detailed and sophisticated works of art.

Novereich finished his Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts majoring in Interior Design at the University of San Carlos. The artist is committed to producing quality visual arts which evoke deep positive emotion. His fascination with flowers, as well as his powerful pursuit in producing one of a kind art, led him to create his flourishing The Language of Flowers collection. A collection which is as unique as the artist's name.

The female portraits on his artworks were made of air-dry or ordinary clay. Molded by the artist himself, the portraits are then painted and lacquered before being face painted using makeup and watercolor pencils. A thin clear gloss serves as the final touch of his two-month process of creating each of his 5x6 inches creations. 

“There will be time, there will be time 
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;”
 – The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock, T.S Eliot

History will tell us that portraits were meant only for those who were important in terms of religion, royalty and societal status. Much of the paintings before were created to reflect a significant likeness to the subject. However, the art of today goes beyond its subject, it draws its viewers to its overall essence. In that sense, it wouldn't matter if you recognize the faces in Novereich's artworks, his art emanates deeper emotions.

One of his works entitled New Beginning sparked a series of mystery when stranger claimed that the face in his work is a portrait of her aunt. So many questions were left unanswered by Novereich and the stranger, and the incident itself is open to a number of interpretations. 

For the artist, the incident, though unfathomable, is a reminder of the vast purpose that art may serve. Art is no longer just an eye candy, but a wake-up call for each of us to value our lives and our family members especially the aging generation, which whether we like it or not, will soon meet the Father.

It was a pleasure to hear such tale coming from Noveriech and it made me think of trying my best to always do the right thing. We can commit so many mistakes in our lives and one of the things that we are so much guilty of is neglecting the old. Do we really have to wait for death to devour us until we realize how much they mean to us?

Art may or may not connect us to them, but we should be artistic enough to prepare ourselves for meeting life or death.

Similar to understanding literary works, art seeks to pose relevant questions which can be answered depending on the viewer's psyche and experience as his/her eyes follow the work. Novereich added poems in his art exhibit giving his viewers the freedom to interpret his art while allowing him to retain the subliminal universe that art has to offer.

So what does the language of flowers actually means? Since time immemorial, flowers are mostly present in any celebration. In some parts of Europe and in the United States, people have been giving meaning to flowers. Some even come up with flower dictionaries in an attempt to translate emotions into flowers.

For instance, roses generally reflect love, but when colors and numbers are at play, it may mean differently. A red rose may mean speak the language of admiration, while a white one may represent new beginnings.

One of Novereich's evocative poems posted beside each of his artworks.

As long as there are flowers, there will always be art. Florists, botanists, and other flora enthusiasts long argue about the meaning of flowers or whether floriography makes sense at all. I do not have the answers to such questions, but if flowers do have their own language, and if they could speak, would you dare listen to them? I will. 

If we are on the same page, head over to Museo Sugbo. The Language of Flowers art exhibit will run until November.