SOCIAL REALIST EXPLORES THEME OF LOVE IN "PALANGGA"
"Palangga (Loved One)", which opens on Wednesday, February 22 at The Centre Gallery of Galerie Joaquin Main, is Nunelucio Alvarado’s major solo exhibition featuring 28 of the artist’s love series paintings. The social realist characteristic of his sharp-witted and controversial pieces explores the theme of love as he underscores man’s survival and triumph over life’s difficulties.
The show celebrates love in its various forms nurtured in relationships existing between father and son, mother and child, young lovers, and even old couples. The artist describes his works as a gentler approach in portraying man’s struggles. He urges viewers to reflect on their own love stories and relate with the different emotions evoked by his paintings. His works done mostly in oil on canvas uniquely illustrate the love communicated between the figures.
Among his pieces include 24" x 24" and 24" x 18" oil on canvas renditions of the father’s bond to his son, tender affection of a mother to her child, sweet romance of lovers, and the lasting passion refreshing old souls.
Nune traces the figures in his compositions to the peasantry whose squat, muscular frame, and angular faces are rooted from the Filipino’s Malay origins. The eyes are wide-opened as invitation for viewers to experience the work’s soul. The prominent veins inherent in the working class’ physique reveal their hardworking and self-effacing nature as well as love for family life. The figures’ binding notion also projects the unconditional devotion and oneness in the struggles they experience. These elements blend fittingly with the wide range of colors he used to depict the country’s tropical environment and mixed attitudes of society. Rich in patterns inspired by ethnicity, the elements surrounding his figures suggest man’s dependence and vital relationship with his environment.
Nune’s artistic explorations began in his childhood years illustrating his own versions of popular komiks in the 60’s depicting war scenes and other comical subjects. He went further in high school copying the artworks of Fernando Amorsolo and Botong Francisco displayed in the calendars then. His leanings towards folk life and migrant worker themes started in his senior year as he composed images that are reflective of their lifestyle and the hard labor. His solid exposure in the common folk provided him direction in the arts.
It was a deliberate choice he made to present reality in his artworks regardless of its disturbing nature. His works portray the scenes of everyday struggle and oppression experienced by his fellow Negresenses. Even his mellow renditions of reality radiate the same intensity and defiance to the system.
Although viewers and critics may regard "Palangga" as the mellowing down of the social realist, Nune can only remark that his love series form a segment of his artistry and philosophy. He takes pride for all his works and is pleased that over the years his viewers have become more receptive of his art.
Articles and Press Releases
February 27, 2006
Alvarado explores new theme in ‘Palangga’ |
