Exhibitions

One of the most important and enduring art events in the country, Rockwell’s Focus on the Arts has garnered a reputation for bringing the best Modern and Contemporary art pieces to the public in a weekly series of curated exhibits. This year’s edition, held in the North Court and Concourse Levels of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati City, is no exception.

From Sunday 20 August to Friday 25 August, the North Court will host an exhibit of works by four of perhaps the most well-regarded artists in the country. Four Points, Four Visions will redefine abstraction in a display of works by renowned Masters Raul Isidro and Edwin Wilwayco, as well as figurative abstract sculptor Alab Pagarigan and contemporary abstract painter Camille Ver. What is fascinating about the exhibition is how the three abstract painters – known for complete organic abstractions, complement the abstracted figurative sculptures of Pagarigan. The sculptor is perhaps most famous for his “Hollow Man” sculpture at Pinto Museum, where his aesthetic of incomplete sculptures of human figures seem to dissipate into abstract geometric forms. For this exhibition, the University of the Philippines College of Fine Art-trained sculptor demonstrates dynamic figures in motion—such as the ride of a bicycle in the midst of a turn.

Complementing Pagarigan’s sculptures are works by two of the most well-known abstract painters in the country, Raul Isidro and Edwin Wilwayco. The senior of the two abstract stalwarts, Raul Isidro is a native of Calbayog in Samar and a product of the Fine Arts program of the University of Santo Tomas, where he finished with a degree in Advertising. A figure of the late Modernist period, Isidro’s latest works are part of his abstract landscape series, taking inspiration from Japanese calligraphy and Zen concepts of minimalism. Edwin Wilwayco, on the other hand, has more robust abstractions that make full use of the potential of color to convey strong emotions. A graduate of the UP College of Fine Art and West Surry College of Art and Design in England, his works on display include paintings from his fractal and octo gravitas series. And rounding out the four is contemporary abstractionist Camille Ver who is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines. Inspired by architecture, Ver prefers to use large swaths of brushworks and experiments extensively with color and depth in her practice as opposed to the common usage of controlled minimalism in abstraction.

At the Concourse Level, sculptor Ram Mallari, will display functionally futuristic sculptures such as chess sets, dining and coffee tables, lamps and an occasional dragon or two. Joining him is Farley del Rosario whose combination of new colors, designs, and energy inspire playful concepts that he paints directly onto canvas and sculpture.

An Artist Reception celebrating the third week will be held at the North Court on August 23 at 6:30 p.m. Power Plant Mall is located at Rockwell Center in Makati City. The exhibition represents Rockwell’s extended collaboration with Galerie Joaquin, organizer of the exhibitions and festival. You may reach Galerie Joaquin at (632) 723-9418 for information on any of the artists or exhibitions.

The third edition of Focus on the Arts: Strokes and Silhouettes, will be held throughout August at Power Plant Mall. Since the beginning, the event has become a platform for leading and emerging artists to exhibit their works in an accessible location. The event has offered the public an ideal opportunity to survey works by renowned Masters, be re-acquainted with top painters and sculptors, as well as discover the practices of new contemporary artists. Held at the North Court and Concourse levels of Power Plant Mall, the location is not only an ideal space for hosting the exhibits, but gives the entire event the character of a public arts festival.

“Focus on the Arts: Strokes and Silhouettes” has garnered critical acclaim for its first two exhibitions: Mimic: Vincent de Pio, Anton Del Castillo, and Ram Mallari; and Silhouettes of Enduring Traditions: Michael Cacnio and Dominic Rubio. Presenting a fresh perspective on the practice of these Modern and Contemporary Masters, the exhibitions enthralled mall-goers, and was praised by the country’s leading critics and collectors.