Art Verité Gallery

The Beauty in Trials and Toil

In Dondon Jeresano’s recent works in Kayod Kalabaw, the artist’s keen observations and deep reflections on the daily struggles of the common Filipino unfold in this collection through the allegory of the water buffalo, a recurring subject placed with selected structures in unusual and intriguing spaces.

Kayod Kalabaw‘s genesis lies in the candid words of the artist’s friend: “Kahit anong sipag, mahirap pa rin” (No matter how hard I work, I’m still poor). The artist draws inspiration from this famed relentless spirit despite Sisyphean encounters in localized contexts, capturing the essence of struggles and triumphs in the everyday life of every man.

Each work is a testament to a realization—an exploration of the profound narratives hidden within the mundane. With his pieces, including the commanding Confidential Pond, a pun on the recent debacle on confidential funds despite the existence of crumbling structures of the urban marginalized, and the more intimate Chosen Land series of small pieces siting the Presidential Palace in greener pastures, Jeresano’s creative process is marked not only by experience and focused studies on the structures he posits in his imagery but also by his architectural degree and personal life. Random ideas gleaned from his surroundings, encounters, and conversations blossom into powerful visual narratives. Each piece becomes a unique exploration, capturing the pulse of the Filipino’s very existence while not shirking from creating a solid query on how power is dis/mis/placed.

In Kayod Kalabaw, a Philippine national symbol, the carabao or water buffalo, represents relentless toil and determination. This underscores Jeresano’s art career from his student art competition days to the present, as an overarching theme—grand structures and visual splendor juxtaposed with the harsh realities of improvised human settlements—emerges. It appears that this material will continue to be a driving force in his upcoming shows and exhibitions, continuing a cohesive narrative that evolves and deepens over time.

With a focus on genuine expression and a commitment to telling important stories, Jeresano’s works carve out a meaningful space in the broader tapestry of Filipino art. As Kayod Kalabaw’s beasts of burden transport us, though tedious and exhausting, under the shadow of the powers that be, the artist introduces an intimate reflection on the resilience that defines us all. Yes, we are still poor, but we will never stop moving. We will always forge ahead.

Written by Kaye O’Yek