Art Verité Gallery

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

“Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes

They call me on and on across the universe

Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letterbox then

They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe”

– from the song “Across the Universe” by the Beatles

In a surreal state of half-sleep, Michael Villagante poignantly creates his dream-like visions of things that matter in his life as he subconsciously travels across the universe of his mind. Suspended in a state of slumber, his subjects float into nothingness as episodes of his life and inspiration unfold before his very eyes through his canvasses allowing us to venture into the soul and the subconscious state of the artist.

His body of works are surreal paintings that represent a cornucopia of images and ideas that summarizes his life story to date. In all of these, it represents the sublime beauty of everyday experiences which are realized only by the artist’s inner self. As the Little Prince in Antoine de Saint Exupery’s novel says, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye”. And so, in a quiet and peaceful slumber where one communicates with one’s inner self, the artists find images and narratives which are essential in his life, unearthing moments and experiences that he treasures and giving meaning to his oeuvres.

The narratives of his works journal the travels of his unconscious mind recalling things that have made an indelible mark on his being. What used to be a recurring image of a space invader game or a song by Michael Jackson lingers in the artist’s mind for no conscious reason but are merely moments of nostalgia and unexplained happiness. They are innocent musings of the mind, buried deep into our subconscious only to be unearthed and put into a canvas by an artist-gifted hand.

The artist poignantly tackles his life journal written in the portals of his mind, recalling things that matter and made an indelible mark in his existence. A beautifully organized chaos unfolds before our very eyes. His body of works celebrates his career as a graphic designer, his foundation for building his unique kind of art. In this exhibit, he pays tribute to masters and creative minds who have made an impact on his life. Creative visual imagery like the waves of Kanagawa, Raphael’s cherubim, Poseidon, the Chinese dragon (a symbol of strength, power, and prosperity), and Michael Jackson has made an impact in his life. Memories of a happy childhood come to mind with the representation of a rocking horse and the rabbits retell wonderful children’s stories that have inculcated good values in him as a child. The Japanese Godzilla remains to be an icon of power and destruction even up to this day. The iconic image of E.T. and Elliot riding across the moon with its timeless magic and compelling story celebrates the power of human compassion. He pays tribute to his idol Mark Ryden, the godfather of pop surrealism in his reinterpretation of Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” album cover.  Strawberries, alluding to the Beatles song represent the beauty of life in the turbulent 70s tackling issues such as the Vietnam war and the hippie generation. These are vivid images of his past etched in his mind.

Renaissance paintings also abound in his works as he pays tribute to his masters and inspiration essaying his victory at the Florence Biennale. The overwhelming feeling of basking in the glory alongside his masters Michaelangelo and Da Vinci, thereby proving his worth as a renaissance artist and as a Filipino is an experience he would always treasure. It is a feat comparable to Juan Luna’s win in Spain at the turn of the century. Remaining humble after this significant point, he contemplates his life, its ups and downs, and retells his story with renewed vigor and passion. His narrative doesn’t delve into his angst, frustrations, and social issues but is a refreshing expression of his youth, his truth, and his inspirations. One that breathes contentment and gratitude.

Finding meaning to it all, his recent works don’t seek to stir the minds of the viewer but represent a picture album or visual diary of what he treasures the most. No fanfare or drumbeats; just the musings of a mind wandering through his life and everything that matters. A life molded by inspirations, heartaches, songs, laughter, and broken dreams but altogether taken to weave a significant life. It is likened to a near-death experience where they say one travels through life before seeing the light and then bounces back to the living world, a changed man. The Florence Biennale experience is some sort of rebirth or reawakening for Villagante. It puts his artistry and talent to the fore and in a different perspective. It somehow secures his career and life as an artist and propels him to move forward with much dignity and courage. He is not resting on his laurels.

After all of the applause and accolades, Villagante reflects on his life.  This recognition inspires him to move forward and continue to paint narratives with the same dedication he has been doing for the past years. The only difference is that he has been armed with a renewed passion, knowing his worth and becoming wiser through the years.  Ironically it was at the height of the CoVid Pandemic in 2021 when he won at the Florence Biennale. A poignant reminder that indeed the sun will rise after the storm; that when God closes the door, He opens a window. It was not an easy journey toward the win. But he persevered and the rest is history.  It is that reassurance that he needs knowing that he is doing a good job as a respected artist, giving glory to his ultimate master.

Across the universe is an expression of gratitude about life despite its obstacles and tribulations. All experiences whether positive or negative are essential to the growth of a human being. Every twist and turn is a rite of passage that we have to go through to become better human beings, stronger and wiser after each fall.

Michael Villagante continues to paint, after the shadows of Bosch, Van Gogh, and other masters he has so admired. The Florence Biennale win serves as a silver lining, putting him in a different perspective, seeing the world and his artistry in a whole new different light. True enough he has emerged victorious not only with his art but with his life as well. He would continue to paint beautiful narratives whether consciously or unconsciously as he journeys across the universe.