A wall, regardless of material or orientation, defines or divides space.
In The Wall, the group exhibit at Altro Mondo Gallery in Greenbelt 5 from July 28 to Aug. 14, 2016, it becomes a substrate for the participating artists’ self-expression that interprets the irrationality of social conventions and political disillusion by stirring iconography from art history, popular culture and similar sources.
The wall then becomes a free space where the artist can paint the graffiti in his mind without reservation or recrimination. Abe Luna Orobia resumes his active art career after participation in the Perya exhibit by Canvas at the UP Vargas Museum where he freely expresses his take on the theme.
He submitted two ‘walls,” a 5x3 feet and 3x4 feet oil on canvas entitled To Love Deeply (Tatlong Sisiw ng Pangarap) and a 3x5 feet Flight in that order. Very mature works, Orobia continues to use the Ferris Wheel as leitmotif for the bastardation of Filipino culture. Juxtaposing realism with surrealism, they comment on the historical past as present fantasy in many of us.
To Love Deeply is about dreams and hope for a better future. The young girl is a mag-uuling, symbolizing hard labor. The wood-pole with the crossbeam is like an inverted-cross, a reference to her passion and love; thus, bridging and highlighting the inscription on the Ferris Wheel “Lumiyag,” which means to love deeply. While “the lantern” word on the other hand suggest that to be able to reach the stars you need to prepare for the wild ride just like the rides in the perya.
Her faint smile and hopeful eyes emulates resilience of character. The ‘halo’ was changed into a bicycle tire a common plaything for kids as symbol of innocence and piety. The smoky and sfumato-rendered background reflects not just the reality of her environment she is living in, but the illusion that hinders her from achieving her dreams. This is contrasted by three colored chicks, which signify new life or rising again, a resurrection from poverty.
Most of the elements including the colors are deliberately “symbolist” in manner to enhance the drama unfolding in the painting. The boat-swan means grace under pressure despite swimming on murky waters. The fire on the coals is the spark that fuels her spirit. And finally, the airplane paper means escape and freedom. All of these symbols, surreal may they seem, are true in the child’s mind.
Flight is about women empowerment. A tribute to women’s long struggle to be recognized not just for their traditional roles as housewives and nurturers, but as successful individuals who are partners for nation-building. The composition is basically with two centers creating mirror imagery.
The women of the old and the contemporary, much like the symbols in their heads, the moon as a moody, temperamental, yet lovely in nature suggesting sex object (then again traditional symbol), while the scallop shell means hardiness of character and independence just like her shoes, the bag symbolizes stepping forward and strength, respectively.
The Amorsolo-like Juana is not left behind instead she represents the night that gives birth to the dawn (the skyline in the painting) her basket contains butterflies instead of market goods, a representation of metamorphosis which is further enhanced by the dragonfly on the hand of the Modern Juana — a symbolism of change in perspective and self-realization. There is no specific timeline in the painting; but, it fairly suggests that much like the ways of the old and the new.
The myth that women are supposed to stay in home and do chores had been debunked and abolished just like business district of before (riverside) into skyscrapers. Much more, men are always doubtful in nature as they tend to shun and not face reality. They have red balloons which meant holding on and not letting go heightened by the fake-men higantes on the horizon.
Finally, these two women ignore these conceptions as it can be reflected on their smile and the flying house with balloons.
Other participating artists are Lester Amacio, Alfred Capiral, Chloe Dellosa, Richard de la Cruz, Darrel Dan Lagasca, Abe Orobia, Edu Perreras, Jonathan Benitez and Jo Tanierla.
MANINGNING CONTINUES TO GLITTER. Maningning Miclat, a published author, multilingual poet, prize-winning artist, an interpreter and art teacher at Far Eastern University who passed away at 28 lives through the yearly art competition sponsored by the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation Inc. open to all artists, age 28 and below.
Prizes at stake are P28,000 and a Julie Lluch Sculpture Trophy for 1st prize, P15,000 for 2nd prize and P10,000 for 3rd Prize.
With “Mother and Child” as this year’s theme, participating artists can submit only one oil, watercolor, pen and ink, acrylic, brush and ink, or mixed media in Western or Oriental style. The minimum size is 45 cm x 60 cm, and the maximum size is 60 cm x 90 cm. Entries must be original and executed in 2015-2016.
Deadline/Submission of entries on Sept. 21, 2016 at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Art Circle Gallery, Ground Floor, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Campus, UP Diliman, Quezon City.
Awarding of prizes is on Sept. 29, 2016 at Art Circle Gallery, Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City.
For complete rules of the contest, visit: http://www.maningning.com/;https://www.facebook.com/searchtop?q=maningning%20miclat%20art%20foundation, mobile phone: +63 9189057311 (Ms. Alma Miclat) email: maningningfoundation@gmail.com.
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY. Peccatorum et virtutibus (Sins & Virtues) goes on at Arte Pintura Gallery from August 6 to 20, 2016. Featuring seven artists portraying the seven deadly sins and another seven artists portraying the seven heavenly virtues, it features humanity as center of the eternal war between good and evil.
Angels try to elevate us to God’s grace for salvation while demons drag us to the depths of depravity for damnation. Each painting moves and inspire to choose the viewer’s allegiance and destiny. It turns yet into another battle between heaven and hell when both sides face each other to decide humanity’s fate.
Arte Pintura Gallery is at The Address Condominium at Wack Wack Road, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.
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Graffiti in Abe Orobia’s mind
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