NARA MARIN (Philippines)
Nara Marin (born 1990) is a contemporary artist from the Philippines whose work centers on narrative painting. She graduated from the Technological University of the Philippines, majoring in Fine Arts and Advertising. Nara's work is deeply inspired by her personal experiences and inner beliefs, using oil painting as her primary medium to construct emotionally rich narrative scenes on canvas and wood panels.
Her artistic practice centers on "narrative," believing that art can convey feelings that words cannot express. The most representative characters in her work are the "Naneri"—a group of girls wearing berets and uniforms, symbolizing enlightenment, empathy, and understanding. Nara calls them "revolutionaries of love," representing the power of support and companionship, reaching out to souls in distress. Through the symbolism of the Naneri, she concretizes her reflections on companionship, healing, and hope, inviting viewers into a world that evokes deep emotional resonance.
Nara was inspired by her own experiences facing depression and emotional difficulties with family and friends. Naneri thus symbolizes understanding and empathy—whether it be friends, family, loved ones, or anyone willing to offer support. In real life, they represent an idealized support network, reminding people to value mental health and emotional care, and to consider them as important issues as physical health.
The recent exhibition, *Where the Light Falls*, uses "light" as its central image, depicting Naneri's interactions in play, rest, and companionship, further extending her vision of spiritual healing. The work, through the interplay of figures and light and shadow, presents a light yet resilient energy. Another important work, *Warm Rain*, showcases the scars and star-shaped marks on Naneri's body, symbolizing the vulnerability and pain people are unwilling to show. Nara does not conceal these marks but rather sees them as proof of resilience and rebirth, reminding viewers to see and accept their own wounds.
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