Paradise in Alcatraz

Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas, White Acrylic, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Labradorite, Shell, Mother of Pearl, Hessonite

Provenance: Courtesy of the Artist, United Kingdom

Artist: Lili Marjorie H. Gualberto

Dimensions: 60x80 cm

Estimate: Open for valuation / Unique artwork

Exhibition History: Newry Library, Northern Ireland

Curatorial Statement

This mixed-media work reflects the community established by Dr. José Rizal during his exile in Dapitan, where he and Josephine Bracken built a shared life. Symbolic gemstones reference education, healthcare, infrastructure, faith, and community, while white acrylic barriers evoke the restrictions imposed upon Rizal during exile. A cascading waterfall alludes to the wedding veil Josephine Bracken never wore, and Hessonite stones acknowledge the loss of their child. Through carefully layered symbolism, the artwork explores endurance, compassion, moral conviction, and the capacity to sustain hope amid political and personal adversity. The descending gemstones reflect the artist's personal belief in Divine Providence as a sustaining presence throughout the narrative.

Ref: Attached is a screenshot of the blueprint of Dr. José Rizal’s hand-drawn sketch of his property in Barangay Talisay—the premier historical landmark of Dapitan City, Philippines. Located approximately two kilometers northwest of the City Hall, this major historical site spans a more or less sixteen-hectare estate that Dr. Rizal purchased during his exile in the region.

Source: The governing officers of the Rizal Shrine graciously provided this blueprint.

Collection of the Blueprint: Amelia Garcia Yulo, Philippines