Rockwell’s annual Focus on the Arts this year is “Strokes and Silhouettes,” throughout August at Power Plant Mall.
The North Court of Power Plant Mall will be dedicated to specific artists in solo or group exhibitions. The Concourse Level will feature exhibits on themes and subjects, with a special solo exhibit to be held in mid-August.
The first week, opening today, Aug. 7, features a group exhibition of works by contemporary artists Vincent de Pio, Anton del Castillo and Ram Mallari at the North Court, and a display of works by emerging abstractionists such as Caress Banson, Aldrino Abes, Jeff Dahilan, Jomar Delluba, Marco Coching, Milmar Onal, Nelson Castillo and Mischa at the Concourse Level.
Next week, Aug. 13-19, at the North Court, there will be a joint exhibition of sculptor Michael Cacnio and painter Dominic Rubio. The Concourse Level will feature the best of Philippine genre art.
At the North Court on Aug. 20-25, Edwin Wilwayco, Alab Pagarigan and Camille Ver will be featured in a special show. At the Concourse Level will be functional sculptures of Ram Mallari.
The closing week, Aug. 26-31, will feature a solo exhibition by Roel Obemio at the North Court, and a special exhibition featuring the best of the festival at the Concourse Level.
Power Plant Mall is at Rockwell Center in Makati City.
The exhibition represents Rockwell’s extended partnership with Galerie Joaquin, organizer of the exhibitions and festival. Call Galerie Joaquin at 7239418.
Opening exhibit
The opening show by De Pio, Del Castillo, and Mallari, entitled “Mimic,” is derived from mimesis, a theoretical concept that states that art should strive to mimic the real world. The three artists use mimetic theory as a platform to explore their own individual practices.
Del Castillo employs feelings of nostalgia, childhood and lost innocence in his work. He has exhibited extensively throughout Asia and the United States.
He won the 2014 Schoeni Prize of the Sovereign Asian Art Competition in Hong Kong, and the 2014 Jurors Choice Award and Philippines Arts Award.
De Pio is known for his female form, and new series of paintings of Japanese historical scenes juxtaposed with images from Japanese pop culture on large folded origami paper.
Mallari is a sculptor of pop cultural imagery, mainly drawn from science fiction, film and comics. He was recently on the cover of Hong Kong-based World Sculpture News Magazine. —CONTRIBUTED