It’s a full slate of shows for Art Elaan at this year’s Art Fair Philippines, set to run in a hybrid format from March 23 until April 1.
The Parañaque-based gallery will be presenting at the Art Fair Philippines 2022 a total of four solo exhibitions featuring established artists, as well as an alignment of bright names in the local art scene in a 17-artist group exhibition.
‘Simulacra,’ Anton del Castillo
ONE of Art Elaan’s soloists for Art Fair Philippines is multi-awarded visual artist Anton del Castillo.
A bachelor’s and master’s degree holder in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines, del Castillo has almost two decades of experience presenting his meticulous art here and abroad to critical acclaim. In his latest one-man show, titled Simulacra, the artist once again explores in gold leaf paintings themes of warfare and religion, which take on deeper meaning amid the current situation raging in the world. Sharply dressed subjects don an all-black ensemble to go with a gas mask, a signature item in del Castillo’s pieces, whether in painting or
sculpture. The artist previously stated that he finds the works in his gas mask series to be the “truest form” of his art, as they reflect his personal experiences and struggles. Moreover, it is through the series that he gets to dive into the concept of sins by allegorically portraying its variations.
‘Inside The Masters’ Mind,’ Toti Cerda
A self-taught artist from Binangonan, Rizal, Toti Cerda makes no bones about taking his cue from prominent artists.
Inside The Masters’ Mind, therefore, showcases Cerda picking the brains of the artists he admires, particularly in the realm of abstractionism, where he feels like an outsider looking in. This very idea is treated with direct visualization as the artist depicts himself gazing at seminal abstract works, as we, the viewers, gaze upon him.
Cerda attempts to replicate landmark non-figurative pieces and depicts himself in the foreground, wearing his studio clothes of paint-stained jeans and white shirt. Such is seen in Convo with Picasso, where Cerda is studying the Spanish icon’s most powerful political artwork, titled Guernica.
“Nanggaling [ang concept na ito] sa epekto ng pagiging self-taught artist ko,” Cerda said. “Wala akong formal education—nag-base lang ako sa mga art books, pag-aaralan, tapos ako ’yung gagawa.”
‘Effervescence,’ Christian Tamondong x ‘Dozen,’ Kobusher
THE other two solo exhibitions are back-to-back presentations with Christian Tamondong’s Effervescence and Kobusher’s Dozen. Both artists present their latest works that revolve around colors and characters that jump out of the canvas.
Tamondong’s saccharine pieces for Effervescence act out the exhibition title as if it were fizzing flavors. Meanwhile, Kobusher once again disorients the mind by twisting, turning, and turning inward familiar characters just before the point of unrecognition.
‘Resonance,’ multiple artists
ROUNDING out Art Elaan’s showcase for Art Fair Philippines 2022 is a group exhibition.
The show, titled Resonance, offers a diverse collection of pieces across different styles and mediums that evoke memories and emotions. Participating artists include Gerry Joquico, Grandier Bella, Ambie Abaño, Dennis Capellan, Reuel Rendon, Joselito Jandayan and Tammy de Roca.
Part of the fold as well are Andrei Baldovino, Rene Bituin, Nikko Pelaez, David Requilme, AADA, Reynold de la Cruz, Gino Nagret, Joen Sudlon, Ferdinand Cacnio and Niccolo Jose.
More information can be found at www.artelaan.com and www.artfairphilippines.com.