Art Verité Gallery

Of Making and Creating

Katha, a collection of recent works presented by art group Pangkat, explores inception and exposition in an ensemble of artworks that delve into the diverse facets of human experience and insight. Katha, as a word, resonates with both Filipino artists and art audiences. It encapsulates the essence of creation and has provided revelations that helped shape narratives that unfold through the intricate strokes and boundless visions of the featured artists as they celebrate the resilience of mothers, the significance of labor, the power of imagination, the allure of beauty, the mysteries of sleep, and the hustle of city life.

Marte Goyon’s Gusto Ko Maging delves into the evolution of dreams. Through delicate oil brushwork, her artwork portraying a child’s graduation photo captures the shifting desires that shape our lives, reflecting the innocence of youthful aspirations and the complexities of adulthood.

Gemart Ortega’s Adventure Awaits embodies the spirit of friendship and imagination. Through his well-known interpretation of popular characters like Doraemon and Nobita in his vibrant acrylics, Ortega invites us to embrace the boundless possibilities that come from exploring both the world around us and our own creativity. The artwork becomes a reminder of all the magical journeys we can embark on.

Aann Reynales’ Elizabethan Collar delves into the theme of self-control and healing. The shame of the cone becomes a symbol of transformation and resilience, utilizing the journey of mending to gain clarity and insight. By incorporating a strong layer of text in the artist’s work, she creates a powerful message of agency.

Dan Macapunay’s watercolor Lullaby becomes a conduit for emotions, whispering a sense of tranquility and ultimate vulnerability. As the colors intermingle and the woman’s slumbering form emerges, the artist achieves his goal of capturing the essence of peaceful languor and the intimacy it embodies.

Jonathan Joven’s Kampihan invites us to contemplate the notion of taking sides. Layered with charcoal and soft pastels, the artwork mirrors the intricate choices we make in relationships and in life. Joven’s technique illustrates subtle nuances of human interaction, prompting us to reflect on the dynamics that shape our connections. Through a visual interpretation of a neighborhood basketball game between a roller truck and bulldozer used in demolishing urban settlements, Kampihan serves as a reminder that creation is not only in the act of making but also in the decisions that destroy what exists.

Jun Tuplano’s Pagtarum is a compelling exploration of manual labor’s significance. By depicting the exacting process of crafting tabaks in Brgy. Cobo, in his hometown of Albay, the artist pays homage to the artisans who shape tools and provide skills and dedication in their craft that sustain communities. Through Tuplano’s masterful brushwork capturing the sheen of sweat, the sheer determination in the face of a master craftsman, and the sparks flying off a tool sharpened with precision, Pagtarum becomes a testament to the beauty found in dedication and the stories etched into the very objects that shape our world.

Benedict John Simbulan’s Sariling Mundo is an introspective journey into self and existence. Against a backdrop of darkness, the painting portrays a figure traversing a vast, planetary-like entity that resembles the human skull. Simbulan prompts us to ponder our place within the cosmos and the narratives we carry within, inviting us to reflect on the stories that shape our journey.

Adan Pesito’s Kathang Isip delves into the boundless realm of imagination. Translated as imagined stories, this artwork encapsulates the fantastical tales passed down through generations. With whimsical creatures and mythical elements such as the duwende, sirena, diwata, kapre and tikbalang, as well as the Ibong Adarna and Darna, Pesito highlights the power of storytelling and the creativity that thrives in the human spirit.

Buhay Mendoza’s Homemaker is a lively tribute to the strength and devotion of mothers who navigate the delicate balance of family relationships. Through visual elements that layer pop and figurative imagery, Mendoza captures a glimpse of nurturing familial connections, a testament to the unyielding positivity that mothers bring to their families.

Jerico de Leon’s Mother and Child Series threads into the profound bond between a mother and her child. Through the interplay of oil paint, bible pages, and gold leaf, de Leon captures the timeless and universal theme of maternal love as he paints what appears to be a sculpture that serves as a tribute to the enduring connection that shapes lives and legacies across generations.

Ace Enriquez’s sculpture, Kalawanging Ginto, juxtaposes beauty and suffering. The gilded allure contrasts with the rusted anguish in a figure balancing himself on a loop, inviting contemplation on the complexities of human emotions such as pain and torment often masked by external appearances.

Eugene Dominguez’s Long Day offers an introspective scrutiny of the idea of sleep. Through his art, Dominguez probes into the hidden struggles and inspiration that emerge from slumber, reflecting on the depth of our subconscious experiences. Draped and printed fabric, skin, hair, wood, plastic, leather and tile all contribute their own visual character to the artist’s painting style.

For Jade Alfonso, her piece Karatig captures the bustling energy of city life through a tilted perspective of a bustling and dynamic scene. Her oil on canvas painting invites viewers to experience the lopsided pulse of the urban hustle, invoking feelings of exhaustion and exhilaration at the end of a hard-earned day’s work.

As Katha invites viewers to an immersion in the rich tapestry of human experiences and imaginations, the pieces encourage introspection, contemplation, and a deeper connection to the stories that weave through our lives. It is only right that art groups such as Pangkat continue to merge the energies of individual artists to make a concentrated burst of creativity, providing opportunities to ever formulate, form, and forge.

Written by Kaye O’Yek