Raul Isidro’s “Living Elements,” now running at The Podium in Mandaluyong City, consists of abstract works based on cosmic elements in Greek thought—“Aqua, Aer, Ignis and Terra”—water, air, fire and earth.

Greek thinking fully complements Isidro’s abstractions. Breaking things down to their basic components, their essential elements, and then seeing how they interact present an interesting opportunity to explore the natural world and local ecosystems.

The artist’s latest exhibit is a form of higher abstraction and a divergence from his previous series of earth and boulders inspired by his native Samar.

“Isidro’s oeuvre captures the place where outer nature meets inner nature—where the natural world meets the nature of the human spirit,” writes art writer Grace Ng. “From its calm serenity to its powerful strength, nature reminds us of what we are made of at our core. We see our strength and stability in the mountains, our kindness and courage in the trees, our peace and tranquility in the water, our wisdom and power in the wind, our passion and possibility in the stars.”

One of the country’s foremost modern masters, Isidro, who finished fine arts at the University of Santo Tomas and who is dean of fine arts of the Philippine Women’s University, has widely exhibited here and abroad, including Germany, Israel, Spain, China, the Netherlands, Australia and the United States. —CONTRIBUTED INQ

“Living Elements” by Raul Isidro will be on view at Art Lounge until March 19, and at Galerie Joaquin, The Podium on March 10-15. Artist’s reception is on March 10, 6 p.m. The Podium is on ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Tel. 0919-0821718, 0977-8398971, 0917-5074493; email [email protected].