History & Culture with Dr. Judy Flores

THE DOLOROSA, or OUR LADY OF SORROWS  The statue showing Mary’s pain of seeing her Son, Jesus, brutalized and crucified, is used in Catholic Churches throughout the world especially during Holy Week.  It is usually displayed on Good Friday, before His resurrection on Easter Sunday. I had a very personal experience with the Dolorosa this year.  I was asked to “touch up” a statue in readiness for our Good Friday services at St. Joseph Church in Inalahan.  This particular statue has been housed in the dome-shaped shrine in front of the church, built by the late Jesus Meno Crisostomo more than thirty years ago.  I told his son, Edward, that I would use my best painting skills but I am not trained in proper materials or procedures used in restoration of statues. What little I know is based on conservation issues of historic homes in our village.  This Dolorosa is about 24 inches high, and weighs at least 150 pounds - more than I can lif...

GUINAHAN I ISLA-TA   (RICHES OF OUR ISLAND)  It is finally finished!  I struggled for several months, distracted by travel and other daily challenges, to create the concept, draw the design, transfer to silk and go through the several stages of batik painting.  The concept of layered forms involved a separate set of issues, deciding how much to build up the layers to create another dimension of shapes within the painting: GUINAHAN I ISLA-TA   (RICHES OF OUR ISLAND) This mural depicts the cultural treasures and natural resources of Guam from ancient times into the early 20th century.  Contemporary Chamorros use these vignettes as a touchstone to their heritage and are re-creating many of the lost arts such as the lateen-sail canoe (Sakman). The Latte- stone pillars of ancient houses are proudly referred to in stories, songs and dances.  Some practices persisted, and are now being revived as contemporary art forms:  pan...

This painting was inspired by several visits to Litekyan at the northernmost point of Guam, and by a recently-published book about Litekyan by University of Guam Press, called Lina’la’ (Life).  Its pristine, natural beauty includes rare, endemic plants that only grow in this wildlife refuge.  Depicted here are the Gaosali, the white box flower that grows up the side of the steep cliffs, along with more common ferns, cycads, and the majestic banyon tree (Nunu) that extends its roots downward from high perches in the cliffs.  Focus is on the woman and child – the Yo’ Ampte (traditional healer), who is teaching the child about the plants.  She is showing her the Nånasu, a small flower whose 5 white petals grow on one side of the blossom.  Generations of children have played the game of matching two flowers together to create a whole blossom.   Batik on Silk 2018 Size:  38”x 21” Placed 1st at Isla Gallery (UOG) 2018 juried exhibit, Creat...

AN OCEAN OF KNOWLEDGE CONFERENCE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE 18-19 OCTOBER 2017 DR JUDY FLORES, UNIVERSITY OF GUAM "FINDING THE WAY HOME"

Interview between Patti Arroyo, Judy Flores and Mary San Agustin about the House of Chamorro in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.

*For Immediate Release* *Guam Eco Wave Art Exhibition opens in Korea* ( Wednesday, August 8, 2018 – Seoul, South Korea) A Guam-inspired art exhibition is now on full display in one of South Korea’s largest department stores. The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) and Lotte Department Store launched the “Guam Eco Wave” exhibition at the store’s Yeongdeungpo Gallery in Seoul on August 1. The featured artwork is by accomplished Guam-based batik artist Dr. Judy Flores, as well Korean silkscreen artist Kim Gun Joo, window painting artist Kang Nanan, painter and illustrator Lee Mi Ju, illustrator Bang Ji Hee, and photographer & videographer Son Jung Chun. The Korean artists collaborated with Dr. Flores from May 26-31, 2018, to produce a series of murals in the southern village of Inarajan. The largest of the murals is of a Ko’ko’ bird that was painted on a diving platform at the Inarajan natural pools. “We’re really proud of how Dr. Flores and our visiting artists teamed...

I just returned from a fun art exhibit opening in Seoul, Korea. Guam Eco Wave exhibit was sponsored by the Guam Visitors Bureau and featured Korean artists who came to Guam and beautified Inalahan Pools Park with their paintings. I had the pleasure of working with them in my home village of Inalahan and exhibiting with them in 3 beautiful Lotte galleries over the coming 3 months!  What a beautiful group of creative people! I think you will agree after seeing the sample pieces in this exhibit. Artist Nanan showed her sensitivity, knowledge, and humor in her collages of US President Trump and North Korea President Kim Jong Un.