The divided nature of man is tackled by artist Randy Solon in his latest exhibit, “Checkered Dreams,” which opens at 371 Art Space on April 18 and runs until April 28.

In the exhibit, Solon adapts his particular brand of hyperrealist symbolism fraught with religious imagery to a monochromatic palette that strips off the distraction of color and its allegiances to wild emotions.

Solon is an artist preoccupied with the spiritual and prefers not to be tainted by the extravagances of humanity. The soft-spoken artist is fond of the contrasting mechanisms provided by diptychs, triptychs and light techniques. He counts among his influences the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, particularly his affinity with shadows, which shows rather poignantly in the artist’s religious works.

The seriousness of the topics Solon chooses to tackle leaves out the playfulness that characterizes the works of his contemporary peers. In one of his works, for instance, one sees the different styles that underline Solon’s aesthetic sensibilities. The figurations themselves are depicted using a monochrome palette, but the background is of a bloody sunset. The plow motif is one of hard-working desperation, reminding us of the literary or narrative power of the visual art.

Solon has seen his profile rise in and around the region. A product of the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, his works have been bidded out in several Southeast Asian auctions, as they have been increasingly sought out for their demonstration of technique and a vision that extends beyond and into the spiritual.

371 Art Space is  at 371 P. Guevarra St., San Juan City, Metro Manila.  Call tel. 632-7239418 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit www.371artspace.com.