Galerie Joaquin is mounting at Fundacion Sansó, Louie Ignacio’s ninth solo exhibition and the premiere of “#DEepexPRESSIONs,” a short film of the same title, which has been invited for screening and competition at film festivals in Barcelona, Rome and Delhi this last quarter of 2020. Hidden within the title is the word “depression,” the strong and lingering wave of emotion felt by Ignacio from the powerlessness and confusion brought about by the first few months of the new coronavirus disease and the enhanced community quarantine.
“Locked up in my room and listening to all the sad news, I could not help but feel depressed…. Art became my refuge,” said the filmmaker-painter, who counts Sansó among his influences. Like Ignacio, Sansó was inspired to paint as a release from the trauma he experienced during World War II.
Ignacio has donated some works to the Artists Pool, a fundraiser for medical front-liners. “Sometimes, [art] appears even in the bleakest times,” he said. “As Dostoevsky says, ‘Beauty will save the world.’ And it has done so, for me.”
Part of the sales will be donated to the Fundacion Sansó Art Student Scholarship Fund.
“#DEepexPRESSIONs” is running until Oct. 7 at Fundacion Sansó in San Juan City. Online artist’s reception is on Sept. 18, 4 p.m. Galerie Joaquin, tel. 7239253; email info@galeriejoaquin.com.
PH artists in Malaysia
Mylene Quito is among Philippine artists featured in a show by the Sekaki International Art Group on Sept. 15-30 at the KL City Art Gallery in Malaysia. On exhibit will be 300 artworks revolving around the theme, “We take care of each other,” from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, India, Maldives, Tunisia, Korea and Singapore.
Aside from Quito, Philippine artists in the exhibit are Pancho Piano, Roy Espinosa, Eric Madrigal, Viel Samaniego, Jose Armin Virata, Xerx Javier, Jie Ur and Jinky Joyce Aguilar. Exhibit’s partner is Perupa Malaysia. —Lito B. Zulueta INQ