A typically-resigned head of Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants attached to the body of a flying Super Mario hovers on the left side, just above a grinning Majin Buu with its eyes popping out. Opposite the Dragon Ball Z villain is a corncob with the limbs and clothes of Mickey Mouse.
Meanwhile, in another scene, Doraemon stands on one side, while a gumball machine with anime eyes is positioned on the other.
Such are the obscure sights in the latest solo exhibition of visual artist Lee Salvador, where the aforementioned are nothing more than auxiliary details. Highlighted in the former, titled Tomi, is the caveman brand mascot of the local, flavored corn chips, while in the latter, Eminem, is a red M&M button-shaped chocolate. Both central figures, prominently bigger than the amalgamation of characters that orbit them, are rendered in Salvador’s distinct cartoonish depiction and endowed with his signature expressive set of four eyes.
The artist’s new exhibition presents local commercial products we are accustomed with,
along with the ones that have captured his fancy during a grocery run in Japan. The show, titled Supamaketto, opens today, December 1, at Art Anton (@artantongallery) in S’Maison at the Mall of Asia Complex, and will run until December 15.
“Minsan naming nabisita ’yung Japan kasama ‘yung mag-ina ko, at madalas kami magpunta sa mga grocery/supermarket doon,” Salvador said. “Gusto ko bigyan ng buhay ’yung mga products na madalas makita sa supermarket dito sa atin at sa Japan din. Gusto ko din magkaroon sila ng positive at masayang vibes.”
Salvador showcases 10 artworks that are each inspired by a grocery item, bearing Japanese branding, alongside a pastiche of cartoon and commercial figures. While tapping into pop culture references is nothing new to the former street artist, Salvador does explore a different style that is aesthetically more subdued but still visually striking nonetheless.
The artist used to pay heavy homage to his past as a street artist, incorporating elements of ragged posters on the walls on which he used to paint. In the show, Salvador displays his full transition to canvas. What used to be in the background comes to the fore, and all we see behind now are gestural strokes of textured colors.
In any case, in bombarding his artworks with a collection and combination of recognizable characters, Salvador may be attempting to recreate the mix of confusion and excitement of someone entering a grocery store in a foreign land.
Not knowing what to expect.
Clueless, but not without a hint.
Eager for new experiences.
More information about Supamaketto and Art Anton is available via inquiry.artanton@gmail.com or 0945-3326659.