Noli Me Tangere
“What is the use of independence, if the slaves of today, will be the tyrants of tomorrow.”
I titled this painting “Noli Me Tangere” based on a novel by Filipino political activist and author Jose Rizal, published in 1887. The book, written in Spanish, is a sweeping and passionate unmasking of the brutality and corruption of Spanish rule in the Philippines (1565–1898).
In the novel’s dedication, Rizal explains that there was once a type of cancer so terrible that the sufferer could not bear to be touched, and the disease was thus called noli me tangere (Latin: “Touch me not”). He believed that the homeland was similarly afflicted.
The novel offers both a panoramic view of every level of society in the Philippines of the time and droll satire. Its description of the cruelty of Spanish rule was a catalyst for the revolutionary movement for independence in the country.
Rizal was arrested and subjected to a mock trial in Manila by the authorities although he had nothing to do with the revolution. Found guilty, he was shot at dawn on December 30, 1896.
Seeing the current state of the Philippines I always wonder, was it all worth it? Dying for the motherland? The never ending corruption, struggle and injustices that Rizal lived through and died for is still happening to this day.
When will it be over? Will it be over?
“Noli Me Tangere”/“Touch Me Not”
16”x20” (aerosol & acrylic on canvas, resin)
“What is the use of independence, if the slaves of today, will be the tyrants of tomorrow.”
I titled this painting “Noli Me Tangere” based on a novel by Filipino political activist and author Jose Rizal, published in 1887. The book, written in Spanish, is a sweeping and passionate unmasking of the brutality and corruption of Spanish rule in the Philippines (1565–1898).
In the novel’s dedication, Rizal explains that there was once a type of cancer so terrible that the sufferer could not bear to be touched, and the disease was thus called noli me tangere (Latin: “Touch me not”). He believed that the homeland was similarly afflicted.
The novel offers both a panoramic view of every level of society in the Philippines of the time and droll satire. Its description of the cruelty of Spanish rule was a catalyst for the revolutionary movement for independence in the country.
Rizal was arrested and subjected to a mock trial in Manila by the authorities although he had nothing to do with the revolution. Found guilty, he was shot at dawn on December 30, 1896.
Seeing the current state of the Philippines I always wonder, was it all worth it? Dying for the motherland? The never ending corruption, struggle and injustices that Rizal lived through and died for is still happening to this day.
When will it be over? Will it be over?
“Noli Me Tangere”/“Touch Me Not”
16”x20” (aerosol & acrylic on canvas, resin)
“What is the use of independence, if the slaves of today, will be the tyrants of tomorrow.”
I titled this painting “Noli Me Tangere” based on a novel by Filipino political activist and author Jose Rizal, published in 1887. The book, written in Spanish, is a sweeping and passionate unmasking of the brutality and corruption of Spanish rule in the Philippines (1565–1898).
In the novel’s dedication, Rizal explains that there was once a type of cancer so terrible that the sufferer could not bear to be touched, and the disease was thus called noli me tangere (Latin: “Touch me not”). He believed that the homeland was similarly afflicted.
The novel offers both a panoramic view of every level of society in the Philippines of the time and droll satire. Its description of the cruelty of Spanish rule was a catalyst for the revolutionary movement for independence in the country.
Rizal was arrested and subjected to a mock trial in Manila by the authorities although he had nothing to do with the revolution. Found guilty, he was shot at dawn on December 30, 1896.
Seeing the current state of the Philippines I always wonder, was it all worth it? Dying for the motherland? The never ending corruption, struggle and injustices that Rizal lived through and died for is still happening to this day.
When will it be over? Will it be over?
“Noli Me Tangere”/“Touch Me Not”
16”x20” (aerosol & acrylic on canvas, resin)