Deconstructing the Madonnas

Deconstructing the Madonnas through mixed media collage is Ursabia's form of artistic expression. The process of doing collage, says Ursabia, " is a personal thing". It begins with the combination of colors,the kind of paper,the texture,the shapes,the patterns, the main subject. One tries to inter-relate the different parts- the bits and pieces into the same part until it looks like a whole. Even though there is this visual creativity going on, there is still the main focal point or the subject standing out from the assortment of shapes, textures and colors.

"I find creating collages, whatever theme it maybe, to be a relaxing and therapeutic process; some sort of art therapy or therapeutic art you may call it. Though relaxing, there is this surge of spontaneous creativity that drives you to get the work done, almost immediately. There is this excitement in the play of colors, papers, used, shapes, textures, the splashes of paint here and there. You stop when you feel happy or satisfied with the work...you just feel it."

In this show, Ursabia finds the Virgin Mary as an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The images of Virgin Mary in her collage reflect the sufferings and joy of motherhood that has radiated with youthfulness, tenderness and compassion for two thousand years of human history.

Ursabia finished primary and secondary education in Lagos,Nigeria. This was where her love for the arts began. She stayed in Nigeria for 17 years 1966 to 1982 until it was time to leave for university in Manila.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Philippine Womens University Institute of Fine Arts and Design and majored in interior and industrial design in 1987.

Now based in her Marikina studio cum abode, she is married to Victor Ursabia, former ballet dancer of Ballet Philippines and now ballet master, photographer, artist. They have two teenage boys Vincentzo and Ian.