“The concept of limits, both of experience and of self, is the main starting point in my current investigation,” says Lui Medina of her upcoming exhibit titled “Ascetics (Unbound).”

To be held at Silverlens Gallery’s intimate 20Square project space, it will showcase four pieces: two using oil, beeswax, and metal leaf on gesso panel; and two using oil, beeswax and gold leaf on plaster object.

“My practice seeks to place itself in that position between the boundaries of the visible and invisible as well as the dichotomies of emotion and reason, he says. The tension and anxieties that this position creates is a recurring element in my work, as well as the driving force of my practice as a whole.”

Medina took up Painting at University of the Philippines and University College London’s Slade School of Fine Arts.  She has been exhibiting since 2003 and done solo and group exhibitions in Hangzhou, HK, the UK and Manila.

Though Medina has explored using other media, oil and beeswax have been a constant in the last few years.

“Oil paint, its processes and history, has become an interest for me, down to how it’s made,” he says. “There’s something quite organic and tactile to it.”

“Beeswax has been a choice material for about five to six years now.  I find its ‘fleshiness’ interesting.

“Somehow I feel both materials have a very strong connection to the whole idea of ’process’ and ‘making’ that I’m interested in.”

After selecting materials, Medina considers hues and forms.

“I’ve always found the reds and blacks evocative,” he says.  It’s important to the ideas of transcendence. I’ve been using a lot white.  I suppose I’m trying to investigate whether these concerns can be achieved by the flatness and emptiness of the color.

“This goes hand in hand with my use of ovals and circles for my paintings. I’ve been concentrated on the objectivity of the paintings, and somehow these shapes allow me to be able to treat my paintings as objects, as opposed to the rectangular and square.”

Visitors to the exhibit will see how these elements come together in Medina’s output.

“Ascetics (Unbound)” opens Feb. 9 at Silverlens Gallery, YMC Bldg. II, 2320 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati; tel. 8160044, 0917-5874011, e-mail [email protected].