To my dear readers, I have a confession to make. I have been feeling deeply emotional lately. Who would not be? I had a grand time of my life!
After exploring the city and spending a relaxing weekend with my beloved family at The Henry Hotel – a charming enclave in the heart of bustling Manila. Then it was followed by a visit to the beautiful province of Ilocos Sur to explore with good friends the inspiring sights (and energy) of the Heritage City of Vigan. As I was writing this Sunday’s column, I found myself contemplating on the many wonderful moments that left a big impression in my heart. Now that I am back to my daily grind, I cannot help but miss the deep connection and meaningful encounters I have gained. During my long leisure break, I have discovered a completely new perspective on the simple joys of life and the meaningful ties that bind us.
“That’s separation anxiety,” expressed my good friend while sporting a contagious smile on her face. Yes, I am currently experiencing a psychological condition of anxiety due to separation from a place and people with whom I have gained a strong emotional attachment. Suffice it to say, my recent trip was an experience filled with profound joy that I cannot really entirely express through words.
On the other hand, I reckoned on connecting this Sunday’s column with the subject of Expressionism.
Just recently, I attended an exhibit opening over a lavish cocktails organized by Leon Gallery. They have beautifully curated a selection of some of the most exciting paintings and sculptures by renowned masters who changed the course of Philippine art.
The exhibition was entitled, “A Masterful Mix” which centers on Philippine modern art.
The launch event was also a mix of ingenuity. Emphasizing on masterful craftsmanship, third generation jeweler Janina Dizon also presented a special collection of her exquisite jewelry line. La Maison Deco brought to the cocktail opening sought-after home accent pieces by design brand Fornasetti. Authentecite Inc. displayed a lavish set of highly coveted fashion accessories.
Essentially, Leon Gallery sheds light to the contributions of the modernist movement in the expansion of the themes focused on by local artists of that time. When it was introduced in 1928, people considered modern art as a disruption. Presently, Philippine modern art receives strong support from local art institutions and patrons (this columnist included) thanks to the visionary spirit of our artists and the support of collectors who believed in their movement.
A pivotal piece in the exhibit is the “Saeta XXVII” by Fernando Zobel. This work from 1957 is part of Zobel›s seminal series “Saeta” where he painted these iconic lines with the use of a syringe. This piece was part of a major exhibition on Zobel by the Philippine Art Gallery in 1957.
Another notable artwork in the collection is the “View of Manila.” This piece is a large, imposing oil on wood by Federico Alcuaz. The artist has been conferred the order of National Artist and this piece is from his noteworthy landscape series.
One that will excite art enthusiasts is Vicente Manansala’s “Prayer Before Meal.” This quintessential cubist painting by the artist was also part of the exhibition in the Ayala Museum. And was in the catalogue during the exhibition on the artist.
According to the Leon Gallery, Expressionism is purely a subjective style of painting. For the expressionist, the objective is to evoke emotions and suggest moods rather than give an accurate representation of subjects. In this style of technique, you will notice distortion of images that emphasizes the painter’s gestures, the intensity at which he strikes the surface with a brush or a palette knife, all to heighten the emotional experience as one encounters the work.
This was spot-on: Expressionism as described by the current state of being. For this columnist, if I cannot entirely express joy, I will definitely find time to learn how to paint it.
Levity aside, with my heightened appreciation of modern Philippine art, one can only dare to dream of turning disruption into a beautiful work of art.
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(For more information, please contact Leon Gallery at +632-8562781 or [email protected]. Like or follow @LeonGalleryMakati on Facebook and Instagram.)