MANILA – January 15, 2014 – Throughout our lives, we look back in awe at the innocence of childhood with a tinge of heart-felt nostalgia. The creativity of a child, particularly when causing naive and harmless mischief, is one that has captured the imagination of many an adult. In the process we succeed in rediscovering some things that are often lost in the process of growing up. Fearless bravado, the undaunted willingness to take on old taboos, sometimes at the risk of slight physical discomfort are but a few of these.
< src="/global//UserFiles/Delluba_Solo Concierto. " width="200" height="301" hspace="5" align="right" alt="" />Pakil, Laguna-based artist Jomar Delluba investigates the creativity of children for mischief in his first solo exhibition "Maldita," which will open at Galerie Joaquin Podium on January 16 at 6:30 p.m. and runs until January 27. Coming off several well-received events, Delluba is one of the most sought-after artists in the country today, with a waiting list of patrons eager to snap up his works, the gallery said in a press release. They recognize an artist who is thoroughly engaged in a practice that reflects upon the very nature of childhood and how we relate to the consequent imagery that in inevitably represents using a consistently fascinating, quirky, and highly-technical aesthetic style.
Jomar Delluba’s practice is one of excruciating detail within a highly-developed technique. After a year of learning drafting technology in college, he started joining and winning drawing contests in his province of Laguna. It wasn’t long before he started apprenticing under renowned surrealist Jerry Morada. Delluba has since gained numerous recognitions, which include him being named Juror’s Choice at the GSIS Painting Competition. Delluba sees his art as an intensely personal experience. His works use metaphors to articulate the idea of everyday people in his characteristically-brilliant style.
The works in this show sees Delluba playing with and upending traditional concepts of childhood mischief. He paints in a style that, at first glance, is cutesy but becomes increasingly surreal upon closer examination. We have, for instance, a painting of a girl in pigtails with her hand over her right eye as if she was punched. What is surreal, however, is the disinterested look on her face–as if she was already used to such physical punishment. But aren’t little girls supposed to refrain from such brutality? Delluba’s work hangs that question over the canvas, but also speeds past it. It is a brilliant way to turn our expectations on their heads.
This is the sort of nuanced discourse that Jomar Delluba brings to the table. Conceptually sound and technically superb, his works see him becoming an artist to watch out for as the new year opens.
Galerie Joaquin is located at Unit B12-B13, Lower Ground Level The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. They may be reached through their landline at (632) 634-7954. Please visit the Galerie Joaquin website.
