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RUBIO’S "CHINATOWN" OPENS GALERIE RAPHAEL’S ARTYEAR 2008
Exhibit Opens Saturday, February 16, 2008
In celebration of the Chinese New Year and as a tribute to the accomplishments and contributions of the Chinese community to society, Dominic Rubio is presenting 20 paintings in a show titled Dominic Rubio’s "Chinatown". The show opens February 16, Saturday, 6 PM. at Galerie Raphael, 2/F, Serendra Mall, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City (Tel: 0922-880-3301). It is the first major show of Galerie Raphael for 2008 and runs until February 28, 2008. Preview starts on Friday, February 8, 2008.
Rubio has long been interested in the Chinese way of life and this interest was intensified when he made several visits to Singapore and Hong Kong last year. In "Chinatown", Rubio would like to give tribute to the Chinese who have been known for their penchant for hard work, their outstanding trade and crafts and for their business acumen. Rubio chose to focus on Chinatown because there are usually Chinatowns all over the world. In many Southeast Asian countries particularly in the 19th century, Chinatown would be the hub of commerce and trade where there was always brisk economic activity and where business thrived.
In Manila, Chinatown during the Spanish Colonial period was initially the Parian, an enclave where the artisans and craftsmen were allowed to live and engage in their trade. In the latter years, this became Binondo which practically became the commercial and economic nerve center of 19th century Philippines. Taking artistic liberty with his figures’ costumes and attire, Rubio has done this mainly to emphasize the finery of silk and textiles on his figures.
Dominic Rubio’s Chinatown is set doing the latter part of the Spanish Colonial era (1850-1896). His works include "Paghanga" (Enchantment) which shows a vendor appreciating a winsome Chinese lass, a "Rice Cake Vendor", "Fruit Vendor", a barber and his young client "Afternoon Haircut", a "Blanket Vendor", and a young man with his "Rice Bowl".
He exhibits his great affection for children with a painting of a Father and Son "Saranggola", a work about a "Young Boy on a Tricycle, "Twin Brothers" playing with their kite, "Mag-ina" (Mother and Daughter) and "Two Sisters". This is the mystical world of Dominic Rubio. Relying on past themes he has succeeded in interpreting them in a highly contemporary style that has become so very popular in today’s art scene. His subjects with long craning necks suggest no less than a people with much to be proud of thanks to their rich culture and heritage. |
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