Compelling, thought provoking, absorbing. These words only hint at the kind of thoughts and reactions that award-winning Batanes artist Randalf Dilla’s works can evoke.
In a ground breaking exhibition titled “Tyranny of Hindsight,” Hiraya Gallery, which recently celebrated its 35th year in the industry, launched the works of Dilla at the ArtistSpace of the Ayala Museum last November 5. The exhibit showcased two photo realistic murals – #WHAT NOW and Salvaged Memories, Salvaged Lives – which when combined span over a thousand square feet of canvas.
Measuring 8 x 17 feet, #WHAT NOW is “a disturbing portrait of a country in a perpetual state of upheaval and turmoil, pathetically left behind by other Asian countries, while governed by grandstanding leaders.
Aside from its historic significance, Salvaged Memories, Salvaged Lives also won the Best Social Commentary Award in a worldwide contest sponsored by the Art Renewal Center in New Jersey, United States. The ARC is the organization behind one of the world’s largest encyclopedic online art references that archive the “known works of the greatest painters and sculptors in human history,” and which promotes the highest standards in classical realism.
Dilla, a graduate of the Fine Arts program of the FEATI University, also received a special citation for “Most Ambitious Work” at the International 2013/2014 ARC Salon – an international art competition organized by the Art Renewal Center in New York City – with such recognitions setting a milestone in Philippine contemporary art through the works of the Batanes artist.
“Tyranny of Hindsight” runs until November 19 and can be seen at ArtistSpace located at the Ground Level, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. For more information on ArtistSpace, please contact Lorraine Datuin, gallery coordinator at (02) 759-8288 or email artistspace@ayalafoundation.org.