Art that immerses viewers in both natural and manmade environments is the project of Arthur “Art” Lozano’s newest exhibit, “Come Together,” running at Galerie Joaquin Podium until Feb. 25.
Lozano’s iconography of vintage automobiles remains the primary focus on canvas. The paintings depict the preservation of deep artistic roots of 20th-century pop culture as embodied by these icons of nostalgia, in particular the Volkswagen Beetle.
Another icon in Lozano’s art is Baguio City, the Philippine summer capital where he resides, an inspiration for his works. Although lately suffering from congestion and other urban wages, Baguio remains a naturalist’s haven.
Named a “Creative City” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Baguio hosts artists’ and writers’ colonies and is hub to the indigenous Cordillera arts and crafts. All of these cultural emblems find a home in Lozano’s art.
“Lozano uses archetypal images from retro-pop culture as metaphorical players in a natural scenario intended to illustrate the marvels of common human life experiences, including the poignancy of decay and ruination, but also principles of rebirth, wonder, exhilaration and creative freedom,” said art writer Grace Ng.
A painter from the Ilocos, Lozano has won citations at the Art Association of the Philippines Annual, Metrobank and Government Service Insurance System art contests, and Philip Morris Art Awards. He is a member of Baguio Tam-awan artists group.—CONTRIBUTED INQ
Galerie Joaquin Podium is at The Podium, Mandaluyong City. Tel. 86347954, 8723253; email podium.galeriejoaquin@gmail.com.
