Exhibitions
View Asia 1900s Gallery
DOMINIC RUBIO IMAGINES AN ASIAN UTOPIA
Dominic Rubio will open his much anticipated show Asia 1900s on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Galerie Raphael, 2nd Level, Serendra Mall, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The show, which features 18 artworks done by the artist especially for this exhibit, opens at 7 in the evening. (Contact numbers are: 8563034 or 7239418, Visit www.galeriejoaquin.com)
For his latest exhibition, Rubio focuses on life in the Asian region a hundred years prior—a time of vigorous trade and, subsequently, cross-cultural encounters and exchanges—and re-imagines the bygone era in 18 highly detailed and finely rendered paintings.
Although some of the works reveal traces of a colonial reality, whether still in full swing or on the wane, Rubio’s works are generally more inclined to highlight the thriving commerce and cultural influences that travel—along with the spice, silk, fabric, and ceramic, and many other prized commodities—on trading boats. A number of paintings make reference to the political tensions of the time, as seen in the colonial-style architecture of the buildings, but these are merely on account of verisimilitude rather than part of the message.
What’s truly important, the full collection underscores, is the diversity of personalities involved in active commerce—from stevedores hauling cargo from sampan to port (“Unloading Cargo”, 48 x 84 inches, oil on canvas), to a band of Chinese fishermen sailing into the bay at daybreak (“Fishermen”, 36 x 60 inches, oil on canvas), to a portrait of the hardworking everyday tradesman (“Milk Vendor”, 30 x 24 inches, oil on canvas).
Also highlighted in this exhibit are the cultural influences borne out of trade, and the results are works that speak of harmonious coexistence. One of the show’s major works, a 48 x 84-inch oil on canvas painting, brings together people of various nationalities, race, and creed in one idyllic scene at the promenade—from the British colonial officer, a woman in a hijab or tudong (the piece of fabric wrapped over the head as a sign of religious devotion among Muslim women), to the rickshaw driver, to the lady in a terno and clutching a Spanish fan. In the background are suggestions of an even deeper melding of diverse ideals and beliefs: in one sweep of the landscape, amid the buildings of evident Western influence, one can find a Chinese pagoda, a mosque, and a steeple that represents the Christian church.
All in all, Asia 1900s presents a refreshingly counterpoint perspective to the current crop of grim and gritty portrayals of trans-national ties.
Rubio is fresh from a recent triumph. Only last Monday, in an auction held at the Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong and participated in by top executives, investment bankers and successful executives, a Rubio donated artwork titled “River Cruise” sold after animated bidding for HKS 100,000 or PHP 620,000. The auction was to raise funds for the International Care Ministries, a Hong Kong based charity who helps over 100,000 people annually in the Visayas and Mindanao. This is the second time that a Rubio work did exceptionally well at a Hong Kong auction.
Dominic Rubio was born in Paete, Laguna, a lakeshore town long famous for its woodcarving tradition. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts, major in commercial arts. He first worked briefly as an artist in one of the largest multi-national advertising agencies n the country, Puris Lintas of Manila. Later, he was invited to live and work at the Pearl Farm, an upscale resort located in Davao del Sur. It was in the course of his part-time job as an in-house artist that he found time to travel around the CARAGA region in Northern Mindanao, learning about the various cultural groups, such as the Mandaya and T’boli tribes, that live in the area. During this stint, he also lived with the Bilaans and the Badjaos, who live further south of Mindanao.
Rubio has had several major shows in Singapore and Manila, Asia 1900s is his seventh solo exhibition.
Dominic Rubio will open his much anticipated show Asia 1900s on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Galerie Raphael, 2nd Level, Serendra Mall, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The show, which features 18 artworks done by the artist especially for this exhibit, opens at 7 in the evening. (Contact numbers are: 8563034 or 7239418, Visit www.galeriejoaquin.com)
For his latest exhibition, Rubio focuses on life in the Asian region a hundred years prior—a time of vigorous trade and, subsequently, cross-cultural encounters and exchanges—and re-imagines the bygone era in 18 highly detailed and finely rendered paintings.
Although some of the works reveal traces of a colonial reality, whether still in full swing or on the wane, Rubio’s works are generally more inclined to highlight the thriving commerce and cultural influences that travel—along with the spice, silk, fabric, and ceramic, and many other prized commodities—on trading boats. A number of paintings make reference to the political tensions of the time, as seen in the colonial-style architecture of the buildings, but these are merely on account of verisimilitude rather than part of the message.
What’s truly important, the full collection underscores, is the diversity of personalities involved in active commerce—from stevedores hauling cargo from sampan to port (“Unloading Cargo”, 48 x 84 inches, oil on canvas), to a band of Chinese fishermen sailing into the bay at daybreak (“Fishermen”, 36 x 60 inches, oil on canvas), to a portrait of the hardworking everyday tradesman (“Milk Vendor”, 30 x 24 inches, oil on canvas).
Also highlighted in this exhibit are the cultural influences borne out of trade, and the results are works that speak of harmonious coexistence. One of the show’s major works, a 48 x 84-inch oil on canvas painting, brings together people of various nationalities, race, and creed in one idyllic scene at the promenade—from the British colonial officer, a woman in a hijab or tudong (the piece of fabric wrapped over the head as a sign of religious devotion among Muslim women), to the rickshaw driver, to the lady in a terno and clutching a Spanish fan. In the background are suggestions of an even deeper melding of diverse ideals and beliefs: in one sweep of the landscape, amid the buildings of evident Western influence, one can find a Chinese pagoda, a mosque, and a steeple that represents the Christian church.
All in all, Asia 1900s presents a refreshingly counterpoint perspective to the current crop of grim and gritty portrayals of trans-national ties.
Rubio is fresh from a recent triumph. Only last Monday, in an auction held at the Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong and participated in by top executives, investment bankers and successful executives, a Rubio donated artwork titled “River Cruise” sold after animated bidding for HKS 100,000 or PHP 620,000. The auction was to raise funds for the International Care Ministries, a Hong Kong based charity who helps over 100,000 people annually in the Visayas and Mindanao. This is the second time that a Rubio work did exceptionally well at a Hong Kong auction.
Dominic Rubio was born in Paete, Laguna, a lakeshore town long famous for its woodcarving tradition. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts, major in commercial arts. He first worked briefly as an artist in one of the largest multi-national advertising agencies n the country, Puris Lintas of Manila. Later, he was invited to live and work at the Pearl Farm, an upscale resort located in Davao del Sur. It was in the course of his part-time job as an in-house artist that he found time to travel around the CARAGA region in Northern Mindanao, learning about the various cultural groups, such as the Mandaya and T’boli tribes, that live in the area. During this stint, he also lived with the Bilaans and the Badjaos, who live further south of Mindanao.
Rubio has had several major shows in Singapore and Manila, Asia 1900s is his seventh solo exhibition.