Galerie Francesca at SM Megamall is hosting Fred Tan’s first solo exhibition, “Not a Sage, Not a Saint.”
Composed of 16 highly textured canvases extolling the transcendent qualities of every man immersed in the human condition, the collection is tied together by silver and black, which provide the dramatic chiaroscuro against which a palette of translucent pastels, metallic hues and monochromes flow into, and evoke complex moods midway conflict and triumph.
Flow is an operative word, as well as meld, as the paintings appear to be devoid of brush strokes.
Tan’s works are inspired by the philosophy of working with life and the chances it presents, rather than imposing his personal wishes and desires. This philosophy resonates with Lao Tzu’s “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
“Not a Sage, Not a Saint” will run until May 2 at Galerie Francesca, 4/F SM Megamall, Mandaluyong. E-mail galeriefrancesca.mega@gmail.com.