Art Title: Carrot Man and Guitar Man; Perfect Igorot Figures
Art Medium: Acrylic in Canvass Size: 30″x 48″
Art Location: United Kingdom
Artist: Marben Orfiano
Artist’s Origin: Pure Igorot, Kankanae-ey Tribe, Mankayan, Itogon, Kibungan, Benguet, Philippines
Art Interpretation
CARROT MAN AND GUITAR MAN: As the title implies, the two are perfect figurative symbols that depict Igorots. Carrot Man (Jeyrick Sigmaton, Mt Province) symbolises typical Igorots in the Cordilleran Suburbs. It pictures the more natural side of igorots, as exemplified by its long naturally groomed hair and simplicity of his outfit. It also speaks about the extraordinary resilience and strength of an Igorot. Guitar Man (Jon Sawac, Benguet Province) on the other side is a symbolic representation of new generation Igorots that are exposed to the urban life influences. Its long straight shiny hair, headphone, outfit, and guitar does not only mean sophistication, going or advancing with the flow of current fad and trends but most importantly its developed and nurtured talent and creativity.
RICE TERRACES AND GUITAR: These elements speak about our igorot way of life. The worldwide heritage, rice terraces, symbolises our hardworking people with passion and a drive for a quality work. The Guitar means we are artistic. We deal with people and work with art and enthusiasm.
BASKET FULL OF CARROTS: It means ABUNDANCE. Life in the Cordilleras/ Igorot Land maybe difficult but we are blessed with resources. We have vast agriculture as we are the sole source of fresh vegetables and flowers for the whole Philippine archipelago. We have fresh water and our rivers supply the hydropower plants that benefits people in the lowlands. We can even create our own local entertainment industry thru our local movies, music videos, and records.
FADED IGOROT GARMENT/ “WANES”– Purposely placed at back of the carrots between the Guitar Man and Carrot Man, the artist want to imply that between generations and between classes of the Igorot people, we will always proudly carry our CULTURE and IDENTITY as IGOROTS.
Signed:
Marben Orfiano, RMT, MBA
The Artist
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 
Please take note of revisions in the article. I have now taken off our Carrot Man as a beneficiary in case the painting gets sold or if donations towards it will materialise. It is to avoid skepticisms that it will not be given to him. So sorry but it could have been a genuine offer from my side as the artist. Again, it is a disappointing result of under estimation of one’s clean intention.
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