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By Rome Jorge, Lifestyle Editor
ALL year long, Avellana Gallery plans to present
exhibits on the 8th of each month, each playing around the number
eight. For example, last February’s exhibit featured the artworks
of eight couples that encompassed the works of such famous artists
such the potters/terracotta sculptors Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn to
promising visual artists Aaron Palileo and Joanne Catral-Palileo.
But for the month of April, curator and gallery
proprietor Albert Avellana has gone mysterious and has simply
entitled the exhibit The 8th. He explains that he challenged each
artist to create works expressly for the exhibit that takes
inspiration from the very title of the exhibit. The result is a
playful display of creativity.
Pidge Reyes, the 8th child in their family
fashions heavy cement sculptures adorned with ceramic mosaic. But
look closer and one will see a total reversal: A tiny hole in each
sculpture reveals a miniscule backlit whimsical cartoon of a
rabbit—the very opposite of the heavy sculptures that nestle these
tiny little secrets.
Tina Bemoan fashions wearable art in both
precious materials such as pearls and organic frames made of reeds.
Her jewelry designs utilize sensuous curving forms that not only
emulate the number eight but also complement the human form.
Cristina Valdezco drew inspiration from the rain
that fell on eight in the morning one day. Her very architectural
design using cotton tapes painted red is a further exploration of
the material she has previously fashioned highly organic sculptures
with. This 13-Artist awardee goes from strength to strength and now
explores more industrial and elemental structural forms.
Eugene Jarque, also a 13-Artist awardee, also
continues to push the boundaries of his chosen medium. For the man,
it is steel—both lovingly polished and tortured with acid. His
work for Avellana, entitled “Tulsi”—meaning the incomparable
one—is his most dynamic and exciting yet.
Noell el Farol’s work explores what happens on
the very day of the exhibit opening. Its white and white, with
journal like entries, it is a book days told in pinholes, parchment
and twine.
Ral Arogante, a master of copper, fashions
mobiles that play balance several number eights. The number of his
beasts are 888.
Avellana Art Gallery is at House A-19, 2680 F.B.
Harrison Street, Pasay City. Gallery hours are from Monday to
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For details, call 833-8357.
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