LP 3 ACTIVITY: A Critique on Regional Artworks

Name: Cherna B. Napisa English 103 Section: Kostka A

The Durian
Kublai Millan
March 27,2018
7.5 meters
Concrete
Description/Analysis/Interpretation
You must personally construct 1 to 3 unified paragraphs containing your analysis/interpretation of
the artwork. The text for the entire analysis must not be less than 100-300 words per paragraph.

I’m perceiving an eye-catching 7.5 meters sculpture made of solid hard concrete. With an
oval-shaped figure, the artist, Kublai Millan, started sculpting another exhilarating piece found in
Ponce Suites gallery house in Tagum City, Davao. After quite some time of sculpting, on March 28,
2018, the work was published. This artwork had the subject of 6 women crouching inside Davao’s
renowned Republic fruit, which is the durian. It has a texture of both rough and smooth features and
was painted with golden acrylic latex paint and a hint of bronze to prevent it from staining quickly
and cracking to the exposure of the environment.

His Sculpture, “The Durian” was organized starting with the exterior of the artwork, the
durian fruit. Creating the base frame of wires, molding, and forming it to the desired shape to
stabilize and hold the cement. Forming its spikes and peduncle/ stalk down to its inner parts. The
artwork emphasizes the women who are crouching, tightly inside the fruit substituting the aril
(pulp/flesh) of the durian. In Addition, the subjects' distinct feature is that they all have long hair,
with no doubt of being a woman and they also lacked undergarments. Showing their chest and
thigh.

Expounding deeper into Kublai Millan’s artwork, it tackles the issue of feminism or what
oppressed women are experiencing. His advocacy was mainly on the peace and unity of the people
and coming from the island of Mindanao, he wanted to depict the situation of the indigenous people
and tribal women. We can conclude that they are tribal or poor women because of their features
and lack of undergarments indicating their status financially and physically. These crouching subjects
are somewhat expressing fear of the reality outside the durian fruit judging from their facial
expressions. As well as fitting tightly, like relying on one another and protecting themselves by
staying inside to avoid the harassment, abuse, and inequality hoping that the spikes of the durian
fruit shall defend them to whoever wants to harm them.

Insights/Judgement
Write a paragraph of not less than 200-300 words containing your insights.

The artwork is without a doubt successful, excellent, and beautiful. With the bases of
beauty, skill, inherent meaning, uniqueness, and fulfilled intent, this artwork is a 10/10. It excels a
perfect score because it portrays the beauty of fruit and as well as the little details of his subjects.
Incorporating each spike of the fruit and as well as the women. Their muscles, veins, facial and
expression, etc. were sculpted by Millan. The skill and talent to pursue art and successfully finish it
till the end were also considered. His patience and dedication to creating art that upholds a message
to the people. Furthermore, its uniqueness from other sculptures which was including a difficult fruit
and multiple subjects together was respectful. The artist blended together with the culture of Davao
city as well as the issue of women's equality. Lastly is Millan’s fulfillment intent, which was evoking a
reaction to his audience. Successfully spreading awareness to the message behind the art which was
the situation of the indigenous and women in Mindanao and the whole world.

Reference (Optional)
Use APA for your reference list.
Cy, S. (2021, July 12). FINDING PEACE IN ROOTEDNESS: KUBLAI MILLAN. Retrieved from IKOT.PH:
https://www.ikot.ph/finding-peace-in-rootedness-kublai-millan/
MANLUPIG, K. (2019, May 19). Kublai Millan captures Mindanao’s cultural diversity with his powerful
sculptures. Retrieved from Mabuhay: https://mabuhay.philippineairlines.com/kublai-millan-
captures-mindanaos-cultural-diversity-with-his-powerful-sculptures/