IS THERE a creative DNA that is passed on from one generation to the next? Is artistic or creative talent innately in the blood? Is there a naturally artistic family?
American psychologist Francis Galton, who wrote “Hereditary Genius,” attested: “I was surprised to find how frequently ability seemed to go by descent.” The most distinguished American artistic dynasty were the Wyeths, whose patriarch was the famous illustrator Newell Wyeth, who sired the even more renowned artist, Andrew Wyeth, and whose own son is the realist painter James Wyeth, who amusingly remarked, “Everybody in our family paints, excluding possibly the dogs.”
These are the intriguing questions and facts that inspired and instigated the show titled “Bloodlines,” which is running at the SM Art Center in SM Megamall. Presented by Galerie Anna and curated by artist-critic Cid Reyes, the show brings together representative works of some of our own country’s artistic families.
Participating artists are Benjie Cabangis and Zean Cabangis; Angel Cacnio and Ferdie Cacnio; Froilan Calayag and Chester Calayag; Toti Cerda and Keb Cerda; Fil Delacruz and Janos de la Cruz; Gig de Pio and Giggig de Pio, Vincent de Pio and Simkin de Pio; Manny Garibay, Alee Garibay and Nina Garibay; Renato Habulan and Guerrero Habulan; Jerry Joquico, Gary Joseph Joquico and Grae Martin Joquico; Raul Lebajo and Nikulas Lebajo; Romulo Olazo and Jonathan Olazo; MarioParial and Mikel Parial; Danny Sollesta and Kitty Sollesta Taniguchi; Lydia Velasco, Chie Velasco and Daisy Velasco; Nestor Vinluan, Paolo Vinluan Vinluan and Liv Vinluan.
No matter that their individual styles may be a reflection of either evolution or devolution, reverence or irreverence, an affirmation or denial of one another’s art, all these artists are bonded by their filial or fraternal relationship, proving that blood will always be thicker than either oils or acrylics.
“Bloodlines” runs until Nov. 17. SM Art Center is 4/L, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Call 4709869; 0939-9127930.