Artists showcase their work at GMIF

by John Davis

Guam - The countdown continues to the Guam Micronesia Island Fair. For about five years, George Francisco with Guahan Heritage Carving has been a practitioner of Chamorro cultural carving. Although he is primarily known for his bone carving, he is also quite exceptional with shells and other natural gems.

At first he was just helping out fellow artists like Frank Lizama before deciding to do his own thing. What makes Francisco's carvings so unique is the connection made between a piece of artwork and the Chamorro culture. "The warrior tribal bands, the turtles to represent different things…the latte stone, the sinahi, the different sizes of the moon and then I go with the different materials," he explained.

That's not all. Francisco uses to put his art in form. Occasionally, he uses the hema' or giant clam shell, deer horns and carabao horns. A lot of material for a lot of different carvings you'll be able to see at the Guam Micronesia Island Fair this weekend.  From sinahi's to bone hooks, they'll all be true to life pieces of art. "We're gonna be putting out a lot of full-moon designs.  1:54 "Basically because there's going to be a lot of different artists down there and I'm pretty sure you're going to find sinahi's, the crescent moon all over the place.  I just want to do something a little different," he said.

So be sure to visit George Francisco when you make your way down to The Guam Micronesia Island Fair this weekend.  There will definitely be a lot of art to see down there and you can make it extra special by taking one of Francisco's pieces home with you.  Tomorrow night, we'll chat with another local artist who has some creations you're definitely going to want to see.