Exhibitions

The essence of a trinity is unity through differences. Within the Holy Trinity, for example, each side represents a distinct personality which, nevertheless, retains the wholeness of one Supreme Being. The idea is that, while a duopoly may naturally go against each other, a trinity complements.

Which makes Galerie Joaquin's latest exhibition, Tri-Angular, intriguing. A three-man exhibition of artists with profound respect for each other, Raul Isidro, Justin Nuyda, and Daniel Dela Cruz, the artists' individual practices are wholly dissimilar. While Daniel Dela Cruz is a figurative sculptor, Nuyda and Isidro are abstract painters. And within the realm of abstraction, Nuyda and Isidro themselves paint diversely in style and in concept. But together, in the setting of this unique exhibition, their practices blend and complement each other in dynamic and electrifying ways.

Tri-Angular opens on July 2, 6:30 p.m. and runs until July 16 at Galerie Joaquin's newly renovated Main Gallery, located at 371 P. Guevarra Street corner Montessori Lane, Addition Hills, San Juan City. Inquiries may be directed to their landline at (632) 723-9418 or email at info@galeriejoaquin.com. Please visit their website at www.galeriejoaquin.com.

Combining the practices of three of the most storied artists in their field, Raul Isidro was among the first abstractionists to incorporate indigenous Philippine designs, symbols, and motifs in his paintings. His works are thus relatable and organic, while also highly-organized and carefully nuanced. His take on abstraction is often referred to as kinetic gesturalism, or "active painting" as one can see the way his hand gestures from the strokes on the canvas in a manner akin to National Artist Jose Joya. Justin Nuyda, on the other hand, possesses a career that spans more that forty years. The artist’s “Mindscape” series is particularly notable as a bellwether in the development in Philippine abstraction. A consummate amateur naturalist, he combines his expansive knowledge of butterflies and nature with a visual art practice that is both geometrically logical yet organic. His canvases flow with dynamism and energy—a characteristic that suites the personal temperament of the artist himself.

The two artists, Isidro and Nuyda are products of the University of Santo Tomas and are stalwarts of an exciting period of late Modernism, of the late 60s and early 70s. Both were referenced by art critic Amando Manalo, who wrote of artists who have contributed to the "richness and variety of contemporary Philippine painting at the time, including BenCab, Justin Nuyda, Rodolfo Samonte, Mars Galang, and Raul Isidro."

Daniel Dela Cruz is of a later batch, graduating with a degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines in 1989. Following a successful career in product design, he decided to pursue his passion of sculpture and never looked back. Nowadays, his metal sculptures of feminine figures are the talk of the town. This juxtaposition of ideas – feminine grace against the taciturnity of the metals that depict it – is the foundation of which Daniel dela Cruz builds his practice on. It is also a subtle, gentle conceit in an otherwise aggressive medium.

That the artists can combine their practices in unique exhibition shows that they are still active in pushing the boundaries of their careers, a fascinating proposition that will no doubt be of interest to an art community that has already placed these artists high in the pantheon of Philippine art.