REINFORCED Noel Elicana May 29 - June 19, 2021 View Catalogue Video Link That Which Gives Us Strength In his solo exhibition, Reinforced, Noel M. Elicaña presents what has become his recognizable visual language (a combination of gestural abstraction, symbolism, and dreamlike imagery, which the artist calls “social-surrealism”) in order to capture the inner truth and resolve of an individual as he faces life’s myriad challenges. Though it is easy to read his paintings within the context of the pandemic, Elicaña delves into the more enduring themes of spirituality “reinforced,” to use the title, by the agency of “family, experience, struggle, and faith.” One to use symbols rather than literal images, Elicaña has chosen to use architectural forms of support, such as hollow blocks and rebars, to reflect upon the interior constitution of man that enables him to withstand threats both from the inside and the outside, just like the hidden structure that holds a house together, protecting it from all sorts of disasters. In the paintings, one discerns a belief in man’s internal faculties and resources, aided by spiritual guidance, as represented by Christian iconography such as the Cross and the Sacred Heart. In some works, which include “Innate Rebars” and “Remember the Two Pillars,” these architectural forms of support are juxtaposed with depictions of skeleton, if only to highlight the invisible but important framework that makes both the body and the house maintain their shape and composure under not-so-ideal conditions. In the first work, one can instantly see the juxtaposition, underscored by a ghostly rendition of a heart which, for the artist, signifies that “our body is a church.” In the second work, Elicaña pays homage to his family, particularly his parents and guardians, his “invisible strength”: the “pillars” alluded to in the title. These pillars are of fishbones and human skeletons, “old yet valuable.” “Concrete Cross” is, perhaps, what best captures the artist’s social-surrealist temperament as it presents in a grand scale the collective journey of humanity as people try to find anchor in the tumultuous world. They ride a metaphorical heart whose arteries and veins extend to all things, underscoring how we are all ultimately connected. While it seems to be an attempt at an escape, the work is all about rootedness and finding comfort in the stability of the Cross. “The message is about strengthening the faith: to dig deep for a foundation,” the artist states. “One may observe that all the people have their eyes to the sky, hoping for a miracle.” What Reinforced emphasizes is that a miracle is not some distant phenomenon, but something that manifests in there here and now, through the solace of art for instance, if we only care to look. “In a spiritual way, I consider myself as a preacher and healer,” says Elicaña. “I want the audience to feel something through my works. What we need now in this time of pandemic is the spirit that can withstand all uncertainties. As an artist, it is my way not only to express but to inspire, motivate, encourage, and influence others to be reinforced in their life.” -Carlomar Arcangel Daoana Noel Elicana A full-time artist, Noel Elicana graduated with a degree in BS Architecture at the Iloilo Science and Technology University. He hails from Oton, Iloilo and has been a recipient of various awards throughout his career. In painting, most of his influences are derived from Heironymus Bosch, a Dutch painter. Elicana feels connected to the form, context, and narratives of the artist’s works for it appears more personal and at times, depicts a social context. In this exhibit, Elicana aspires for his audience to bank on the spirit of his work. His core message is for the spirit to be reinforced and nurtured. In every crucial phase of human life, a spiritual force within the body drives the strength to withstand all physical, mental, and other uncertainties. Elicana aims to be the catalyst of spiritual inspiration and influence through his works. Elicana’s process starts with layering – usually coming out with abstract expressionism. His concept is developed from his first stage and he then visualizes how he wants the artwork to be completed after. His style showcases social surrealism and symbolism which allows him to explore his subconscious mind while narrating his personal experiences. Through this, he creates a space for people to resonate with his works. Elicana has garnered recognition throughout his career. One of his latest achievements is being chosen as a grand awardee for the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) competition last 2018. He was also a top 5 regional winner for the Philippine Art Awards last 2019. His work has been seeing appreciation since 2013, through his connection with group and solo exhibitions at various galleries. He is also a participant of different art competitions around the country.

PAST EXHIBITIONS 2019 Drift | January Brave Singh Drift is Brave Singh’s sixth solo exhibition. It is a contemplative and nostalgic exhibition which is deeply personal, but at the same time, speaks of what social commentators popularly call the Philippine diaspora. Eight works, comprising of three portraits and five still lifes with framed landscapes paintings juxtaposed above them, make up the exhibition. Bautismo | February Martin Honasan Bautismo, the exhibit, is a continuation of my existing practice of exploring damage-based modes of production, creating work that is weathered, beaten, distressed, and using the physical language of painting (brushstrokes, manipulated surfaces, selected hues) to come up with a portrait. My aim is to highlight nature’s inherent tendency to move from an ordered state towards disintegration as it struggles to retain its form. In Habit | January Alee, Bam & Nina Garibay Inhabit as an exhibit, has a definite point of view. Those of the original inhabitants with a stake on what is happening to their community, concerned with how it has changed with the development that is happening in the province, and, in extension, with the country as a whole. Ecology, interpersonal and communal relationships, as well as themes relating to the unequal access to resources are highlighted. It is a poignant call to criticality about the quality of development we subject ourselves to, as we hurtle along with ever increasingly globalized economy. It asks us to pause and take stock of what we might lose, when we obsess on what we try to gain. Gap | February Jonathan Dangue In Dangue’s works, the entire brass sheet, which he has manually folded, bent, twisted, and cut; only appears to be the medium which supports the gaps which appear in them. In short, the entire work is premised on the holes which are on it. The gaps are more important than the entire brass sheet. Although rooted in the idea of suffering, Dangue turns the concept on its head, and uses the holes to create individuality, volume, and substance. It is an echo of creation, where something was created out of the void. Exclusive Access to New Works | January Aj Abelardo, Jerome Aspiras, Efren Carpio, Jep Dizon, Gerecho Iniel, Rafael La Madrid, Edwin Martinez, Alvin Paraguison, Marvin Quizon, Kim Santiago, Jukus Sepada & Jay Torres “Exclusive Access to New Works”, thirteen up-and-coming Filipino contemporary visual artists entitle viewers to the rare opportunity of experiencing their new works born from reflections on everyday living and a multitude of life events that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit. Tåy-og | March Arel Zambarano, Jason Delgado, Jeanrol Ejar, Jirah Labanza, Jonas Siva, Joebert Gayoma, Joemel Mirabuena, Jzy Tilos, Marvin Dalisay, Michael Delmo, Noel Elicana, Orland, Rommel Garde, Roland Llarena, Sabrec & Tyrone Espinosa Tay-og presents a critical resistance between the discriminating tastes of the commercial public combined with the lofty artistic ambitions of the young. Even as they are open to more raw approaches to art, they still value that paintings should be created for its social function and not lost in “painting for painting sake.” For You Caravaggio | January Kiko Marquez & Ynah Baltero For You, Caravaggio is a tribute to the master of shade and shadows, Michealangelo Merisi da Caravaggio by partners Kiko Marquez and Ynah Baltero. Caravaggio employed careful observation, to paint his subjects as realistically as possible. Focusing on both the body and the subject’s emotional state, he highlighted his compositions with dramatic lighting and shafts of shadows, to evoke a tension-filled mood. Such is what the two artists are attempting to do. Laman Loob | March Kendall Colindon, Christian Culangan, Kim Gaceja & Clark Manalo The environment we live in molds us into becoming who we are and contributes to every perception, perspective and opinion we make or will make. These sets of ideas slowly turn themselves into conclusion. Justified, it grows to become a form of concrete judgment, concrete judgment if rationalized and made into action feeding the perception, becomes a tangible irreversible resolve. Can we build a complete idea out of nothingness? Umå | March Paul John Cabanalan In Uma, his solo exhibition at Art Cube Gallery, Cabanalan once again brings his lavish attention to this place of beginning, of childhood, of continued existence—the teeming farmlands (uma is a Hiligaynon word meaning “farm”) which evoke multiple meanings for the artist: “the place where we get our food and livelihood,” “the place where I work from elementary to college to support my studies and family,” “the playground where I learned so many things.” Rise of Nation | May Jeff Salon Rise of Nation is part of the continuing saga in Salôn’s body of work that lends visual narrative to history. Embedded in his paintings is not merely a desire for concrete representation but something urgent and significant, especially in these dark times we are living in, and that is hope. Rise of Nation proposes that hope to be a collective strength. Karne ng Patay na Diyos | March Doktor Karayom Kolab | May Arnica Acantillado & Dondon Jeresano The title of the exhibition, Kolab, while it points at this welcome collaboration between Jereseno and Acantilado, also sounds as “co-love,” which signifies to a sharing of this deep, human emotion. Indeed, love and art can mix, often resulting in immense pleasures and glorious compositions. The viewer stands in awe at the works of these two artists who have expressed their commitment not only through being partners but through the brush making strokes on the expansive space of the medium of painting—a vow made visual. Volume 2: Birds on Honeycomb | April Clairelynn Uy Birds on a Honeycomb: Volume II deliberates upon Clairelynn Uy’s interest in the potential of the image not merely as a form of description of what is familiar to us in the world but a way of examining the complex labyrinths of the perceiving eye and mind. For in this suite of large-scale works, the artist quotes and subverts the illusionistic faculty of painting by doubling a side of an image, presenting only half a story or, rather, making the repetition itself as the story, resisting the fullness of disclosure in what is otherwise hyperrealistic figuration Paradox of Silence | May Renato Habulan, Guerrero Habulan & Proceso Gelladuga Paradox of Silence examines the gaps of the stories we tell ourselves about the world and our future within it. Will we go with a bang or whimper? Will we have been good stewards of the Earth? Who will we be in the culmination of civilization? Certainly, the future—if not the end—of man will be a complex scenario of decisions made, unmade, and not made. In the aftermath of history, human silence will become speech. City of Traitors | April Dave Lock In his recent collection of works, Dave Lock explores the subject of the human condition in a more emotional perspective. The works featured in this exhibition are portraits of people around him, or possibly those he have met at some point in life. In this show the artist dives deeper into the abandoned cavities of the human condition in where man’s darkest, most self-sustaining sentiments thrive, like bottom-feeders lurking on an ocean’s abyss. These things take root deep, but they hide beneath the outer mask of human decency because they fear exposure. Journey | June Sal Ponce Enrile Journey takes its title from the lone semi-figurative symbolist work in the collection of thirteen paintings which make up the show. The other twelve are abstract expressionist works with titles which seemingly describe her art (such as Ethereal, Cosmic, and Celestial); what she has had because of it (Stamina, Endure), or what her art has done for her (Comfort, Redemption). And these are apparent in the works that combine her luminous works, accented with wisps of gold, which seem to have the flashing rainbow play-of-color of opals. Transformations | June Jay Yao In the thirteen photographs comprising Jay Yao’s solo exhibition, the theme of transformation is apparent. Whether it is the the breaking down of dead wood into soil to give way to new life in a forest, or how a plant withers just as its berries ripen by the foot of tree stump, or how water from the sea evaporates to clouds; we see nature transforming from one form to another. We see life lose its shell to come back again to its primal state – how a tree becomes a seed, becomes a tree again. To live is to transform. Self. Shadow. Surface | August Kiko Urquiola For this particular exhibition, he further explores that metaphor of the innocence (self) and the helplessness (shadow), which when dissociated become prey to what is truly dark, violent, and evil. Pushing his creative boundaries, he presents unsettling figurative portraits of unparalleled beauty and unrivalled technical skills. Baring his figurative subjects and leaving them only with the most basic of clothing, he paints them with powerful gazes, intriguing movements, inviting flesh, and pensive expressions that are all too raw, poignant, and profoundly honest. Smoldering Refuge | September Isko Andrade, Lawrence Cervantes, Rafael La Madrid & Tony Mercado News of war, terrorism attacks, racial violence, refugee crises, collapsing economies, increasing marginalization and poverty, and the rise of authoritarian governments with their concomitant abuses, have continuously mounted and relentlessly continue unabated. We no longer live securely. It is a dangerous time to be alive. This precarity is the essence of the group exhibit “Smoldering Refuge,” featuring works of four young figurative artists, who are among the most sought after in their genre. Out of the Depths | October Kristone Capistrano “Out of the Depths” reveals the beauty and fragility of human mortality; the contrasts in black and white, darkness and light, correspond to the struggles and challenges of humanity. In this exhibition, we become enthralled by the fact that the drawings in front of us are charged with tales of people not too different from ourselves. In the artist’s words, the people behind these portraits speak and ask us, “Look at me. I am here. I am waiting.” Walk that Walk | November Lui Manaig Walk that Walk may be seen as a metaphorical mirror through which the viewer can gain access to what makes him different from the rest and, in realizing this, feels encouraged to embrace, cultivate, and enlarge it. No thumbprints are identical, and so goes with people who are endlessly changing, growing, and projecting different combinations of self. In presenting a discourse in body positivity, confidence, and individuality, Manaig dares the viewer to see difference as divinity Morphogenesis | July Erick Villarruz For Morphogenesis, Villarruz trains his eyes indoors, to the private domesticity of a home. Each work is a woven tableau of a receiving space, with a combination of a cushion sofa, chairs, and/or drawers, with an occasional view of a window or a door. What is present among them is an explosion of greenery: indoor plants that can thrive with minimal supervision. Being Human | August Gian Miroe Surban In Being Human, Surban presents a gritty, ghoulish and unwholesome introspective take on mental health using a language beyond the written and the spoken. Without glamorizing the already stereotypically discussed matter, he wishes to transgress multiple dimensions on what is truly happening in the lives of the victims and the preys when nobody is watching over them, and hopes to illicit dialogues between his art and his viewers. Sentiments | September Kim Santiago Sentiments is a thoughtful exercise in figuration, of how to convey transparency to the eye with the use of pigment. But more important, the show reveals the relationship of human beings with objects whose purpose is not merely utilitarian but offers protection, nourishment, and illumination. Father Figure | October Daniel Coquilla & Kris Soguilon In this two-man exhibition, Father Figure, Dansoy Coquilla and Kris Soguilon shine a spotlight on the father as subject matter, whose deeds and sacrifices are usually unsung. Both fathers who work during the day and create art during the night while still carrying the responsibility of being the head of their respective families, the artists feel compelled to essay the vital roles a father plays—from performing non-conventional tasks at home to doing their jobs with passion and integrity Nonlinear | November Renato Habulan, Benie Cabrera, Jess Santiago, Adi Baen Santos, Neil Doloricon, Fred Liongoren, Alvin Sales, Steven Natal, Mel Cabriana, Marvin Quizon, McCoy Lazaruz, Don Bryan Bunag & Lawrence Cervantes Fearful of their fate as witnessed in Non-Linear, these artists ponder in each of these works as one has been healed and honed further. Each has abled to paint some more in whatever life has to offer. With their tired manual hands outstretched in struggle, in these paintings they have emerged more conscious with fervor, as they uplift our people. You Sea What You Want to Sea | July Pogs Samson You Sea What You Want to Sea is meant to be an eye-opener, as what we currently choose to see is not aligned to the crisis of the times. Certainly, long-held cherished beliefs which inform our ways of thinking and seeing are hard to let go. But if we are to ascertain our continued existence as individuals and as a species, Samson engages us to root out the true evils that stalk our lives. Diabolic Charm | August Reynold Dela Cruz "Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty” is a line from a poem written by the English Romantic poet, John Keats. It speaks of looking beyond what our eyes can see and understanding that the manifestation of beauty is valid if it is the truth. Reynold Dela Cruz’s latest one-man exhibition, “Diabolical Charm”, depicts beautiful women who are dressed and poised in a display of elegance and authority. Their heads are kept high without a hint of self-doubt or confusion but with condescending sneers, which command power to graciously invite their prey. :) | September Michael Villagante, Kenneth Santiago, Pisssquidhead, Wyndelle Remonde, Nissa Tayle, Lynyrd Paras, Gori, Josef Lauzeano, Somar, Doktor Karayom, Ata, Gus & Pau, Reen Barrera, Max Balatbat, and Arley Carig Under the ambit of the smiley, these artists come together to exhibit their works as a show of force and solidarity. For a few, this will be their first time to showcase their works. For some, this is just one of the many that they have participated in. No walls, however, segregate them. They occupy the same space of power and visibility. Like a big smiley spray-painted menacingly on the surface of the world, they will not be silenced. Romancing the Inevitable | October Vincent Padilla Vincent Padilla renders an urgent social concern by way of sculpture for this project. The composition is an installative collection of a hundred half-heads and five five-footer sentinels which give us as an instant sensation that reels from our soles. Our eyes actually are the first ones to feel this fizzle or current, as the impending suddenly becomes visible even without all other apertures of a mise-en-scène of a disaster. Magtanim ay 'di Biro | November Mark Lester Espina Magtanim ay ‘di Biro extends Espina’s sense of appropriation to homegrown works. For some time, he has been depicting works from the Western canon. The choice of Amorsolo may have emerged from a sense of affinity, as both Espina and the master are notable portraitists. This connection notwithstanding, the exhibit proves that Amorsolo’s legacy is inexhaustible. The Divine Comedy | July Tiffany Lafuente In the works of Tiffany Lafuente, a sense of menace always haunts privileged domestic interiors. It is her way of exposing the complicated and complex layers of human behavior: we may conduct ourselves as prim-and-proper and respectable on the surface, and yet we cannot escape our inherent animalistic drives and instincts. Everyday life is one tangled mess of various impulses if we only care to look. Renaissance | August Darby Alcoseba, Mark Belicario, Rainer Duhaylungsod, Crispin Bobier, Renulo Pautan, Maria Francisca Andraianne Juarez & Orley Ypon Renaissance celebrates the gains of the Italian masters and those who came after them through refreshing takes that make us look at the world around us in new ways. As what these artists show, figuration is still an important tool to tell the story of men and women whose dreams, hopes, aspirations, and struggles are never-ending. There are no new stories, only new story-tellers. The artists of this exhibition are telling us these age-old stories in profound, moving ways. Memento | September Martin Maturan Maturan chooses to slow down, and focus on familiar objects that are deeply personal, and charged with both emotion and meaning; and use them to express his insight into contemporary life. In his previous exhibitions, these were cameras, picture frames, and worn out toys. He would choose these objects to imply a critique. A camera for example, can be about the addiction to selfies, which in turn can be seen as the need to standout, to be recognized, to have a moment in the spotlight. He uses objects from the past to zoom in on the present condition. In Memento, he focuses on the carousel. Aninag | October Paolo Icasas The light that used to lie in wait in Paolo Icasas’ paintings has started to creep. Like smoke, like whispers, it gently diffuses, weaving itself into what once were twilit landscapes. Now one could somehow make out the edges of the grass, the underbrush, the thicket; now one could see the crisp of where that light made its way through. Boundaries Without Borders | December Year- End Exhibit The exhibit aims to bridge the gap between the gallery, the artists, and the audience where there’s an encouragement of discourse and putting value to questions as a response to today’s situation. This is the power of art: to object by asking questions, to go beyond boundaries.

INTERCEPTION Marvin Quizon 16 May 2020 Interception Marvin Quizon 16 May — 06 June Quizon’s Game For the living imagination of visual artist Marvin Quizon, it has always been the struggle between rationality and passion--a bitter war against maneuvering clichés—ever since he started mixing paints on canvas for seven years now. His third solo exhibition, Interception, culminates with finality what has been evenly fought for in his previous two exhibitions dealing deeply on positive realizations of pain and suffering like flowers emanating from a rubble. With the extended lockdown looming at large, Quizon’s sense of time resulted in a moment of temporal unity for these binary opposing forces. Against a contemporary art scene of restlessness, churning out paintings after painting in every auction, art fair or biennale that comes along, Quizon offers a pregnant pause of the sublime in these six paintings. There is something in the midst of Bulacan that transposes a poetic element in Quizon. Even with a short distance from Manila, the allure of the province draws the melancholic and even recluses like him. The vast expanse of the remaining rice fields or sudden change of the season—that misty still unpolluted air while cumulative clouds slowly parade—allows one to find sanctuary and immediately seek contemplation. This lieu seems much more conducive to creative people such as musicians, writers more so hungry young artists. Quizon visualizes purposely how the mind and heart interchangeably return to their constant engagement in the self-titled Interception--a work on paper with three-dimensional cut outs. With radical and energetic determination, Quizon has roamed freely from that conventional into an internal existence of wonder and fantasy. Using tentacles to symbolize the enticing even teasing flirtations of the consciousness, Quizon philosophically quizzes the viewer how man can surrender to himself, give in to temptation, and ultimately succumb to overthinking in a single arrested development. We are oftentimes hapless victim of our own faulting that we create our own tentacles that continue to rob us blind leaving us in misery. We are trapped by our own making or even our hands become the very tentacles that wallow us. There are times Quizon gets utterly torn as to what his mind says from what his heart feels although deep within he has already made up his heart. Shown in The Antagonist as it tips the scale for once with the brain overwhelmed by his tempting limbs. The figurative brain forms the subliminal octopus which has the ability to protect, defend, overarching itself to cling on something it focuses itself into. Although everything exists in the brain our deepest desire, and ultimate longing is what our heart wants. The brain is physical while the heart is your soul. The fictitious tentacles envelope the man even becoming the man himself in Alter Ego making it the closest portrait Quizon can depict the blatant personified quagmire he becomes. In Discordant Comfort Zone Quizon configures idleness as a solitary enemy. Lounging is a feeling of repose, a vacated sofa lingers comfortably while his creativity is held hostage. Done in raw sepia-finish, one is seemingly invited to jump in the comforting pillow-like palm of a giant. Everyday reality has been distorted, exaggerated, brought to excess, dressed up and supplanted. Time Intercepted is evident to the mechanical call to order by a clock. In his profound solitude Quizon produces exemplary parallelism in counting an infinity of the little hours while painting in lockdown, he reduces the brain to logical rationality and the heart to its purely visual function. It is necessary to purge thought of all that is not in relation to ideas, ridding it of all the myths with which the senses overlay the truth. Quizon interprets the uncanniness in surrealist brushstrokes as Nature of Mind and Soul is a masterpiece rendered in a dream-like manner. In what he interprets as an experiment in psychological layering, found at the dead aim center is a man caught in flames signifying he is in a peril state of saturation. The confusion overwhelms him on whether to be rational or hear the pulsating beat of his heart. The resolution remains evident by the where flowers in bloom. Quizon favors ongoing dialogues of strange objects into a new visual language. These explorations of incongruousness in existence are often highlighted by intricate details and unusual perspectives. Notice the brain and how it is highlighted to represent knowledge. It is inherent that we think what is right for us through where the light leads us. Often he distorts his space using hyperrealism marked by rustic finish and in raw and limited monotone palette often depicting his mood. Quizon is fond of depicting symbols, allegories and odd juxtaposes of objects. The heart is in a dim part but it still glows as it grows. Proof that the heart wants what it wants, it is the soul that benefits. Quizon has even left ample space in the foreground for the viewers to interlude as Quizon opens up the invitation to look intently on the canvas. There is an open clamor as the viewer could even get burned by his fatal indecision. Compared to his contemporaries, Quizon prefers his slow creative process to be long and arduous. Quizon paints everyday leaving only a day to regain his momentum. He usually does rough sketches and writes his thoughts. He continues with unfinished studies as he conceptualizes further on canvas. Quizon is organic in approach that he usually ends up adding from what his initial studies were. He accepts this as his visual style—a way of surrendering into his subconscious. Sometimes Quizon ends up with a different yet more improved version of his initial studies. He then proceeds to photograph his references even edits them in his computer as he is well-versed to be. He proceeds to layer his oil paints how the way masters like his influence Rembrandt of the 17th century Dutch Golden Age does it. He finishes off by color glazing much like the way his fellow artists from Bulacan do theirs as well. Upon careful reflection on his pieces, Quizon subdues his colors to suit his intended emotions. Quizon is an old soul at barely 26 years old, his commitment to his craft and his pursuit for artistic emancipation reflects within his soft-spoken character. In the end, he believes we can love completely without even complete understanding. - Jay Bautista

DUALITY ARNICA ACANTILADO & DONDON JERESANO March 23,2022 - April 02,2022 View Catalogue Video DUALITY In this two-artist exhibition, Duality, Arnica Acantillado and Dondon Jeresano present their respective conceptions of space, how it shapes behavior and identity, and how it functions in relation to human health and happiness. Those familiar with the works of the artists, who have already collaborated in previous exhibitions, are already aware of their individual pre-occupations. Acantillado focuses on nature and its fierce inhabitants, highlighting our origin and how we have become divorced from our true source while Jeresano, on the other hand, presents crumbling architectural structures as a commentary on the state of humanity. The duality alluded to in the title is rural vs. urban, nature vs. civilization, organic vs. man-made. The works of Acantillado emplaces human figures in natural settings, situating images of celebration (ballgowns, balloons, tables set with china) not as foreign features but as a way of welcoming back humans into the fold of Mother Nature. Her works, which reveal Edenic beauty, evoke a sense of homecoming. Nature, through the lens of Acantillado, is not dangerous or threatening, as how disaster movies have made us to believe. Our bodies don’t forget our deep connection to light, air, and space, despite how the cities have alienated us nature. Jeresano’s works have consistently been about the failure of our cities, whose decay is readily apparent in the jumble of shanties, ruins, and destroyed palatial buildings. Through the elements of theater, such as the proscenium and the box office, the artist dramatically reveals the artificialty of our man-made structures (not unlike the cardboard sets found on a stage) and how, compared to the features of the natural environment, are temporary, prone to devastation. Even the proudest of civilizations, such as the Roman Empire, will ultimately end up in ruins. We are simply distracted by the amusements that we have created to momentarily forget that, just like everything in nature, we, too, are mortal. Duality, expressed through the highly descriptive figurations of Acantillado and Jeresano, underscores that what we perceive as a split in man is simply separation from nature. Despite the tall, shimmering structures we have built as fortress from the rest of creation, we cannot abandon our natural origin. Otherwise, our bodies will remind us the disconnection: the illnesses that plague the flesh and the mind. Acantillado’s paintings state that will always have a place in nature and, like a prodigal son, we will be welcomed to partake its nourishments. The works of Jeresano call us to have a sense of urgency to care for the planet that’s heating up in a pace not seen in history. Nature’s suffering will bring about our own demise. -Carlomar Arcangel Daoana Ronald “Dondon” Jeresano is a Filipino painter hailing from Sorsogon City, Bicol Region. He studied BS Architecture in Polytechnic University, Sta. Mesa, Manila. Jeresano’s body of work always has a distinct flair, its style is always identifiable and simply stands out. He has been known as an artist who rigorously paints in figurative form to convey his thoughts. Since the beginning of his career, his works are either direct or oblique references to his observations and responses to his surroundings and the things that move him. Lately, he has turned to structures, dwellings, and architectural references to convey complex themes like power structures, physical presences, acts of occupying, trespassing, collapses, interiorities, surfeit, and excesses opposite dispossession. Ronald Jeresano has exhibited in major art galleries in Manila and won several prizes for his works including the Grand Prize in the 2008 Metrobank Art Design Excellence (MADE) Arnica Acantillado Born and raised in the Philippines, Arnica Acantillado initially took up Architecture at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Lucky to have peers and a firm support system from her family, Acantilado was enticed to work harder to improve her skills which then birthed her into entering art competitions. She was constantly driven by her will to achieve and contribute to the art scene in the Philippines. Acantilado’s perseverance and diligence in honing her skills forged her to gain recognition for her works and was then awarded in several competitions such as Shell National Student Art Competition, Eyebank Foundation Painting Competition, PLDT-DPC Telephone Directory Cover, Metrobank Art, and Design Excellence to name a few. Currently, Acantilado has been doing exhibitions – both group and solo shows in various galleries in the country.

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SOLACE - ONLINE YEAR END 2020 Abe Orobia, Ace Navarro, Aldron Achinges, Alee Garibay, AR Manalo, Argee Dacuyan, Arnica Acantillado, Art De Leon, Art Sanchez, Bam Garibay, Ben Albino, Blaise Zamora, Brave Singh, Cedrick Dela Paz, Demi Padua, Don Bryan Bunag, Genavee Lazaro, Geovanni Abing, Geremy Samala, Gian Miroe, Guerrero Habulan, Isko Andrade, Janice Young, Japs Antido, Jason Montinola, Jay Yao, JaymeLucas, JC Sicam, Jeho Bitancor, Jep Dizon, Jim Orencio, Johanna Helmuth, Jolo Senense, Jonathan Dangue, Jonathan Madeja, JR Atienza, Julmard Vicente, Keloy Santos, Kiko Urquiola, Lui Gonzales, Lymuel Bautista, Manny Garibay, Mark Andy Garcia, Martin Honasan, Marvin Quizon, Max Balatbat, Maxcine, Nina Garibay, Pablo Zingapan, Paul Magisa. Plet Bolipata. Rachel Anne Lacaba. Renato Habulan. Ryan Jara. Tiffany Lafuente. Victoria. Victoria Fabella. Wyndelle Remonde 12 DECEMBER 2020 Solace Art Cube Gallery's Online Year End Exhibit 2020 “Solace” as the banner heading of a group exhibit, captures the paradoxical feeling that pervades the whole of humanity as this year of despair comes to an end. It has been a year of intense restlessness; of daily pitch battles to find solace in whatever form and space. It has been a very sentimental time punctuated by our daily struggles to find our cradles of peace from all the turmoil of this altered world of ours. We find relief, and therefore solace, in the thought that this terrible year is ending, and we yearn for a new beginning. Art Cube Gallery’s year-end exhibit features 58 artists who, by the highly creative works of their hands and imagination, seek to bring us to reflect on what has become of our lives and to give gratitude for our days of survival. It has been a most challenging chapter in our lives, as we have all struggled to keep the light shining within ourselves and to rekindle embers of life in our beings. As the ravages of this most wretched season has brought intense despair, we forge on empowered by memories of tranquility of days past. We are at a place and circumstance that are neither an end nor a beginning, but a state of flux, impelled by all the wisdom that days of yore have instilled in us. “Solace” portrays standpoints and viewpoints of a battered world, as well as fantasies and daydreams of a better world. As day-by-day survivors of dangers and perils, we strive to find strength and comfort in knowing that people who matter in our hearts are making the same arduous journey with us. The feeling of being caged - trapped as we are in our physical and metaphysical worlds - transforms into a realisation that we are each ensconced inside our solace of survival, and in the process a sentiment of gratitude sprouts from the recesses of our being. The enchantment of life will hopefully crawl back into our souls. The austerity of our days, stripped of ambient noise that clutter our thoughts, will hopefully give way to an invisible force that infuses purpose and meaning in the remainder of our days. BACK TO ONLINE EXHIBIT VIEW THE EXHIBITION CATALOG

FINDING THE LIGHT 22-24 February 2019 The Link Carpark, Philippines

DISPARATIS Nick Navarro February 27 - March 20, 2021 Subverting Superstitions Despite the seeming sophistication of the life we live in, superstitions continue to inform, if not govern, our everyday conduct, as we believe that certain actions may appease the gods or hold back ill health or bad fortune. For some, the act of knocking on wood three times in order to counteract an undesirable outcome may be born out of force of habit and not from some abiding faith that a higher force controls our destiny. Regardless how we view these things, there appears to be some kind of a psychological necessity to doing utterly irrational actions in order to assuage deep-seated fears. In his solo exhibition, Disparatis, Nick Navarro turns these superstitions on their heads, not to contradict them but to extend their import and tease out other possible associations and meanings. For instance, in the work, “Sa ating pagkabusog ay di na muli tayo makukuntento,” the artist confronts the superstition that warns of sleeping while hungry (or else the soul will escape the body to seek a place where food is abundant and from where it may not be able to return) by asking what if the hunger is for knowledge. Once this hunger is partly assuaged, will the soul have the desire to still return, having the full awareness that knowledge is limitless? Through a highly charged depiction of a room, the artist conveys this idea by painting it with wide open windows punctuated with mirrors, an open book paired with a glass of water, and an empty bed to convey that the inhabitant has embarked on a journey. On a wall is painting that shows a white silhouette of a man—the soul—consuming a book. Such a figuration features a combination of the actual, the surreal, and the symbolic, all mingling together to evoke Navarro’s contemplations. In another painting, “Lulong tayo kung saan tayo nalulunod,” Navarro takes on the superstition that claims that whoever sleeps with wet hair will be become blind or mad. What if, instead of wet hair, it is the anxieties that attend to us as we sleep, drenching us with restlessness? To evoke the extension of this superstition, the artist positions a shower head that issues forth a steady jet of water onto the pillow, making anyone under it to be perpetually disturbed. Clumps of hair, lying scattered onto the floor, seem to have been cut in a fit of madness from this internal turmoil. For Navarro, these superstitions draw their sustenance from the shared belief of people which assure their continued existence. In the work, “Pananda ang naghuhudyat para maniwala at hindi pangitain,” a bagua mirror takes a central position in the room to deflect bad energy. Since this supposed energy is invisible as it is mysterious, a physical object has to be constructed in order to combat it, thereby solving the problem. In the same painting, the artist shows how the supposed symbolism of certain objects is arbitrary. For instance, a crow signifies bad luck; once they’re grouped into four, they suggest abundance. Disparatis is an incisive take on superstition and how it may be shaped to the image of the one telling it as way to structure certain behaviors, beliefs, and ways of being in the world. Its haunting iconography, evoked through a combination of acrylic and calcium carbonate, pictorially presents how these superstitions may be read and understood in light of the challenges that beset the contemporary times. Especially in this period of indeterminacy, various modes of superstition take root, offering solace towards the things that elude our slippery human grasp. -Carlomar Arcangel Daoana VIEW THE EXHIBITION CATALOG

SOLACE ISKO ANDRADE September 18 - October 09, 2021 View Catalogue Video To refresh and to relax— that is Isko Andrade’s goal as he produced his “SoLace” masterpieces. While he is known for creating dark and deep artworks as previously seen in “Smoldering Refuge” and “Pamilya”, Andrade decided to take on another technique by using whites and light hues of blue and red on this exhibit. Andrade shares that we are in a time where a lot is happening in our surroundings and it takes effect in our personal emotional turmoil. While he himself personally used these artworks to get away from all the stress and exhaustion in life, Andrade’s collection which includes the pieces called: Serenity, Silence, Peace, Calmness, and Comfort— are intended to also provide an escape for his audience and that as they look at his works, they will experience peace and relaxation. With the use of white laces as his subject, Andrade associates this with new beginnings, as the object is often used in special occasions like weddings and christenings. The subtle touch of blue signifies sunrise, while red signifies sunset—Andrade believes that even though some things are not okay right now, there will always be a tomorrow and that there will come a time when things will fall into the right places eventually. Indeed, where there is peace of mind, there is hope. We may sometimes feel so much emotional and physical exhaustion that it prompts us to give up on things easily but really, all we need to do is to stop for a minute and take time to rest in order for us to feel calm and be prepared to face whatever life throws at us. - GPH Francis Eugene E. Andrade or also known as Isko Andrade, born in 1996, is a young artist based in Bulacan. He is a graduate of fine arts Major in Visual Communication in Bulacan State University. Andrade has been known for sharing his stories through his artworks, resulting in pieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia. He received several awards and citations such as Shell National Student Art Competition and Metrobank Art Design Excellence Competition. Isko shared that last year there were a lot of things going on in his personal life and in his environment that made him stressed and exhausted. He felt that he could no longer focus on the things that he really wanted to do. He believes that aside from him, a lot of people feel the same way and need a space to relax. That is why he created “SoLace” as a form of help to anyone looking for that peaceful feeling. He hopes that when people see his work it will give them a sense of comfort, calmness and relaxation. Compared to his previous works that are usually dark and deep, he wanted to play with lights in his upcoming exhibit. He used blue as a representation of the sunrise and red for the sunset. Andrade used lace as a subject to highlight solace. White lace has multiple symbolisms but for him lace represents a new beginning, often used in important occasions like christening, weddings, first communion and the like. Andrade believes that small things are what makes life beautiful and that we might not be okay today but in time, everything will fall into its place.

PAST EXHIBITIONS 2024 Framed | January Ciane Xavier In the exhibition "Framed," I embrace the medium of oil painting, a discipline that harkens back to my foundational artistic roots. This transition, influenced by my current experience of pregnancy, represents a harmonious blend of life's creative forces with artistic expression. As an sculptor, this temporary shift to painting is not a deviation, but a reconnection with the primal elements of my artistic practice. Daffodils & Dandelions | January Xian Lim Paradiso + Inferno | January Group Show Jason Montinola brings a unique perspective to the exhibition space through his exploration of the themes of Paradise and Hell. His background, deeply rooted in a rich tapestry of literary influences and personal spiritual experiences informs his approach in the curation of the works in this show. Hanap/Buhay | February Elmer Borlongan In his latest exhibition, Hanap/Buhay, Elmer Borlongan masterfully captures the essence of honest labor, paying homage to those who toil closest to nature, the very source of our sustenance. The seven works act as individual or group depictions of workers in various trades, celebrating the dignity inherent in the daily lives of those who, though unsung, tirelessly put food on our plates, despite the threats of globalization and shifting socio-political terrains. Imaginary Playmates | February Plet Bolipata Imaginary Playmates signifies Plet Bolipata’s return to her first love—painting. Having previously explored various sculptural media and other forms artistic expression, the artist’s latest worksweave together strands of interrelated narratives delving into the complexity of artistic influence, the small and large experiences that inform biography, and the interiority of a woman who, having found her voice in the world early on, has always spoken from the truth of her being. Paths, Found Rocks, and Moss | March Rafael La Madrid Paths, Found Rocks, and Moss by Rafael La Madrid invites us on a journey through the unforeseen interplay of nature and its elements. With a piece of rock, the artist realized how mysterious life truly is. One of the models for his lifelike oil paintings is a mossy, craggy rock with just the tiniest bit of green leaves sprouting. A wonderful story to tell behind the image is that the central object within started dry and smooth, yet curiosity and the artist’s restless spirit compelled him to water the rock every day, not knowing what to expect. Surprisingly, after a few months of doing this repetitive activity, life sprouted. Through his masterful strokes in rendering this moment in oil, La Madrid shows his viewers the intricate connections between life, renewal, and the inherent beauty in both the organic and inanimate. Kapirasong Paraiso | April JC Sicam Searching for signs and signposts in his pursuit of a promised paradise, JC Sicam delves into the realms of Faith and fate seeking illumination from the sacred to the profane in his latest solo exhibition entitled Kapirasong Paraiso. Still Standing Firm | February Group Show Still Standing Firm marks SIGAHUM’s 4th group exhibit, paying homage to their creative roots and ongoing journey toward artistic maturity. This creative odyssey has led the members of the Iloilo-based artist group from shared local beginnings to diverse cosmopolitan platforms and individual life paths. Leveraging their background in architecture, the exhibit features an installation where stretched canvases and wooden panels serve as pillars, arranged back-to-back in the gallery space. These pillars, beyond their structural role, symbolize the creative, social, and motivational strength inherent in artist communities. Each pillar stands as a testament to the power of diversity fortifying the collective aesthetic. On The Ground, Across The Shadow | March Jep Dizon Art Cube is delighted to unveil the eighth solo exhibition of Jep Dizon, aptly titled On the Ground, Across the Shadow. This showcase presents a collection of contemporary tableaus reminiscent of classical still life, pushing the boundaries of conventional representation. Dizon employs recognizable materials such as hollow blocks, iconic Dr. Martens' shoes, and a myriad of other objects, turning these seemingly mundane items into powerful vessels of meaning. Tending Fires During an Eclipse | April Rando Onia & Iya Regalado Tending Fires During an Eclipse brings together for the first time the artistic visions of Rando Onia and Iya Regalario, notable for their mastery of the pyrographic pen as medium. This exhibition intersects with the momentous occurrence of The Great American Eclipse on April 8th, offering an interpretation on the relationship—and contradiction—between darkness and light, as symbolized by the celestial bodies of the sun and the moon. Fairest of the Seasons | February Nina Garibay In the relentless and isolating complexity of contemporary life, Nina Garibay, like many of her millennial and younger counterparts, has navigated her way through self-crafted coping mechanisms to endure the fast-paced challenges of existence. Finding solace and a momentary escape in her creative process—meticulously cutting and pasting magazine pages into sanitized compositions—she appropriates the illusions of glamour to distill a sense of peace of mind. Obskura | March Pinggot Zulueta Obskvra is the fifth in a series of artworks by Pinggot Zulueta, which focuses on the existentiality of the human condition, his philosophical contemplations, and our infinite potential for survival. In 2016, his exhibition ‘Incepto’ had provided entry into the sublime thoughts of the artist’s soul. A year later, in ‘Ka.thar.sis’, his thoughtful reflection on alienation and solitude within unfamiliar environments was the central theme. In 2020, ‘Melankolia’ delved on understanding the inner self to achieve a sense of connection and harmony with one’s past. In 2022, ‘Infinitum’ accentuated an intense awareness of mortality, while urging viewers to make deliberate choices on what is truly important. Rueda | April Mark Laza Ayon sa eksibisyon ni Mark Laza Paikutin ang ruleta Na nakatunghay ang mata sa iyo At ituturo ang mga posibilidad Ng uniberso. Tatlong tanong Ang magdidistrongka Ng pinto ng kamalayan: Sino, Alin, Paano, Dreaming Daydreams | April Jotyl Jan Bermudez In Dreaming Daydreams, Jotyl Jan Bermudez's 8th solo exhibition, the artist's tableau-like oil paintings invite us to explore a world where reality and fantasy intertwine. Boundaries between the real world and imagination blur in a captivating dance of combined figures and objects, reminding us that daydreaming has become a rare luxury in our daily lives Static & Silent | May Jaime Pacecna II The exhibition "Static and Silent" presents the latest series by artist Jaime Pacena II, an exploration of stillness and observation in monochromatic form. "Static" represents a pause, a temporary cessation amid life's constant motion. In contrast, "Silent" prompts reflection on the complexities of human cognition and interpretation amidst the backdrop of daily life. Through this quiet dialogue, Pacena navigates emotions and perceptions, encapsulating aspects of human consciousness. Word on the Street | May Julius Redillas Word on the street whispers of the return of Julius Redillas’ sinewy enigmatic figures. In this latest collection, Redillas draws inspiration from the myriad details of everyday life that surround him. Within the sanctuary of his own home, the figures of the Virgin Mary and Sto. Niño stand as silent witnesses. These divine icons seamlessly transition from his personal space to his canvases, held by his iconic crimson character in stark white attire. From Ash We Came | May Julieanne Ng To live and shine eternally like the sun is an aspiration for many, forgetting that even the stars at night have already passed. Vainglory is a theme that runs in countless stories of ruin. It births marvels and tragedies alike, and no exception was that of Daedalus– a highly ambitious craftsman and architect who was intoxicated by his own genius causing the downfall of his son, Icarus. Divine Timing | June Froilan Calayag In his first solo exhibition for Art Cube, Froilan Calayag unveils a spellbinding collection that showcases his distinctive style and figuration, which blends surrealism, fables, and personal mythology. Titled Divine Timing, the exhibition explores the concept of moments when everything aligns perfectly, creating a sense of inevitability and divine orchestration. Canned Thoughts | May Carlo Tanseco Across the neighborhoods of the Philippine archipelago, from the tiniest shanty to the grandest mansion, canned goods stand as ubiquitous symbols of sustenance and familiarity. They line the shelves of sari-sari stores and supermarkets alike, bridging socio-economic divides. Among those about to live or work abroad, they carry these items in suitcases as they serve as steadfast reminders of home. Koleksyon | June Neil Pasilan Koleksyon shares with us Neil Pasilan’s personal compilation of his own works; an anthology of stories in the fringe of his grand narrative. Much like objects in a museum, they are likewise preserved, cared for, and revered. They represent fragments of his imagination and forms of expression. The pieces are remnants of pursued visions and completed endings since they were made of leftover paint and used palettes. We find meaning in the materiality beyond what was prescribed, complemented by the artist’s confidence in the dynamic behavior of color. Alive Inside | June Mark Andy Garcia In his latest exhibition, Alive Inside, Mark Andy Garcia invites viewers to explore the resonance between the external world and internal states of being. This series of six paintings, each measuring 4 by 4 feet, encapsulates the essence of human emotions and psychological rhythms as mirrored by the natural environment. Garcia’s choice of title, Alive Inside, reflects his intention to bridge the gap between the viewer’s internal experiences and the external world’s cyclical and ever-changing nature. Anyareh | July Kiko Marquez Kiko Marquez’s solo exhibition, ANYAREH, springs from the simple curiosity of a child’s innocent question, the artist's daughter, when she witnessed some baffling scenes she experienced. In his compelling collection of recent works, Marquez magnifies this inquiry, not merely seeking answers for himself and his daughter but also inviting his audience to engage and provide their interpretations. Through his realist paintings, Marquez captures the faultless beauty of nature situated in precarious, often overlooked, scenarios, confronting viewers to ponder and take action. Your Mouth Has A Mind Of Its Own | June Lindslee "Your Mouth has a Mind of Its Own" is an exhibition that explores the intricate layers of Filipino mentality, ideology, belief, culture, and tradition. Through this body of work, I aim to reveal the pervasive influence of superstitious beliefs and religion on the collective psyche. My intention is to illustrate how these elements often precede rational thought, leading to instinctual, sometimes detrimental, responses. Eve | July Tony Mercado In Tony Mercado’s Eve, the artist explores life's beginnings and the nurturing forces that deliver us from the depths of existence. He depicts women in various states of emergence, their reflections shimmering and seemingly imparting obscure wisdom. Out Of Eden | July Daniel Dela Cruz For his solo exhibition, Out of Eden, at Art Cube, Daniel dela Cruz provides a compelling visual metaphor of humanity’s departure from paradise and its subsequent journey into the vast expanse of the world. The title itself encapsulates this exploration of the fall from grace, symbolizing mankind’s inevitable sallying forth into the four corners of the globe. Basyo | August Clark Manalo Clark Sigua Manalo’s latest solo exhibition, BASYÓ, delves anew into the world of fisherfolk by exploring the objects they use daily and their symbolic weight. Working close to the Navotas fish port where his studio is located, the artist captures the essence of adaptability, utility, and the cyclical nature of life through humble plastic and styrofoam containers that he fills with images of the fishermen he encounters, their tools, and what they catch. They are then splintered and split with Manalo's painstakingly detailed painting technique and well-planned mappings of vivid colors, with cleverly placed glitches recurring as in the artist's past exhibitions. Anyo | August Kendall Colindon In his solo exhibition, Anyo, Kendall Colindon juxtaposes the serenity of nature with the bustling energy of cityscapes, offering a visual dialogue that merges our origins with present-day realities. Through his contemporary depictions, Colindon emphasizes sustainability and the importance of living alongside nature, rather than attempting to dominate and stamp it out with human force. Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind | August Erick Villaruz Out of Sight, Out of Mind marks Erick Villarruz's triumphant return to Art Cube Philippines, a fitting venue for his 10th solo exhibition as it was the very place where his artistic journey began in 2014. Now celebrating his decade of creative fruition, the artist has come full circle, going back to one of his early loves in artmaking: portraying figures as a means of processing and expression, while providing a deeper understanding of his subjects through his and others’ recent experiences. Alibangbang | August PJ Cabanalan Each painting in “Alibangbang” is a testament to the intricate beauty and transient nature of life, depicted through vibrant 3D acrylic flowers, rich textures, and meticulous acrylic work. The a butterfly, an enduring symbol of transformation and resilience, emerges as a poignant metaphor for the human experience—a celebration of life's ephemeral beauty and the relentless pursuit of growth and renewal. Huna-Huna | September Abril Dominic Valdemoro Abril Dominic Valdemoro’s Huna-huna invites us to delve into the spaces between thought and feeling, image-making and perception. The Masbateño title translates loosely to "what people think" or "something to think about," and captures the essence of contemplation tinged with uncertainty. It's like that sense of dwelling on an idea, not quite sure of its truth—as one may be thinking with the heart, but is unsure of the feeling. Leyenda | September Jessa Balag In Leyenda, Jessa Balag invites us to revisit the legends that have shaped her imagination since childhood, blending the mythical and the mystical with the everyday. Each oil on canvas painting is a rich tapestry of familiar stories transformed into something new, filled with easily recognizable characters and objects from our own lives. Balag’s astute compositions breathe fresh life into age-old tales, prompting us to see ourselves in the allegorical narratives that once seemed distant and untouchable. Sa Dalampasigan ng Daluyong at Dalangangin | September Jeho Bitancor In his poignant homecoming exhibition Sa Dalampasigan ng Daluyong at Dalangin, Jeho Bitancor presents a lyrical collection of works that pays tribute to the resilient fisherfolk of the Philippines. These individuals, whose labor is both dignified and vital, are set against the presence of a foreign power threatening their livelihoods as well as the country’s sovereignty. This exhibition, while capturing the physical toil of these fisherfolk, also bring to fore the broader struggles they face in asserting their right to survive. Revisiting Shadows | October Isko Andrade In Revisiting Shadows, Isko Andrade revisits a period in his life marked by struggles and uncertainties, a time heavily influenced by the pandemic but also shaped by personal upheavals. As he navigated these challenges and made critical decisions to secure his peace, Andrade’s psychological and emotional journey is now at a stage where he can “revisit” these moments and translate them into his art. Sketch Marks 3 | November Art Cube is proud to present Sketch Marks 3, the third iteration of what has become one of the most definitive exhibitions celebrating the art of drawing. Curated by Elmer Borlongan, who also originated the concept, this exhibition gathers a diverse roster of both emerging and established artists—including Plet Bolipata, Kevin Roque, Honey Maglalang, Kiko Capile, Paul Eric Roca, Joen Sudlon, Edrick Daniel, KR Rodgers, Renato Barja Jr., Bea Gison, Guenivere Decena, Aann Reynales, and Jerson Samson—each demonstrating the expressive range and inherent value of drawing as a medium in itself. The Unseen Truth | October RC Caringal In Unseen Truth, RC Caringal ventures beneath the surface to illuminate an essential truth about human nature: our tendency to hide, minimize, and enlarge our true intentions. As one of her paintings suggests, there is more than meets the eye. Caringal masterfully uses the topography of the human body to map emotional and psychological compulsions. Good Morning | November Jonathan Joven Jonathan Joven captures the unbreakable spirit of the Filipino working class through a deeply personal lens in Good Morning, his exhibition of recent works. Inspired by his own father, Tay Jun’s tireless hustle across countless jobs—from porter to stevedore to pedicab driver, street food vendor, electrician, carpenter, and all-around handyman—Joven creates an homage to the everyday heroes of Manila, those who labor quietly, often unseen, in the gritty heart of the city. Here, the humble Good Morning towel stained with various shades of sweat and grime becomes a vibrant emblem of resilience, sacrifice, and survival. And They All Gather | October Jason Delgado Jason Delgado’s latest exhibition, And They All Gather Around the Zenith, offers an exploration of the personal and collective self through his paintings of pillows. The artist uses the imagery of this household object, something mundane yet highly personal, to symbolize reflection, vulnerability, and contemplation. Jason Delgado’s latest exhibition, And They All Gather Around the Zenith, offers an exploration of the personal and collective self through his paintings of pillows. The artist uses the imagery of this household object, something mundane yet highly personal, to symbolize reflection, vulnerability, and contemplation. Punit | November Obet Tiano In Punit, Obet Tiaño fashions together fragments of fabric and life, blending intentionally cut holes and overlapped materials into images that tell stories of potent and raw emotion. The artist builds on a testament of strength and courage as he presents six dynamic paintings of quiet resilience, each piece holding layers of meaning. A Man Of | October Mc-Coy Lazaruz Mc-Coy Lazaruz delves into the deep waters of identity in A Man of One and Thirty, using a blue-dominated palette to explore facial planes of the self in its many guises. Through portraits that shift between inner and outer worlds, his works ask how much of ourselves we reveal to the world, and how much we hold back. Nomad | November Azor Pazcoguin In NOMAD, Azor Pazcoguin strips his art down to the essentials, exploring the complex simplicity and depths of monochromes. This latest solo show transforms concrete surfaces and layered textures into visual poetry, capturing the quiet power of structures and journeys alike. With each painting, Pazcoguin composes a tactile experience that’s as much about feeling as it is about seeing. The Expansive Window | December As the year draws to a close, Art Cube presents a cherished annual tradition: the year-end exhibition, this time titled, The Expansive Window. This showcase gathers the creative brilliance of emerging, mid-career, and established artists, united by their devotion to painting—the country’s most enduring and dominant artistic medium

UGMAD Michael Delmo July 24 - August 14, 2021 View Catalogue Video Element of Uncertainty in the Dreamland There is an element of uncertainty in the dreamland that Michael Delmo has conjured for us in his fourth solo exhibition, Ugmad. Ugmad, a word shared by Cebuano and Hiligaynon alike, often pertains to the verb “to cultivate” as in “to foster growth”, “to raise”, “to work the soil”, or “to domesticate.” It can also stretch itself to mean “to prepare”, “to tame”, “to civilize”, “to accommodate” or “to refine”. All these cognate meanings apply to the precarious state that is common to all the works that comprise the exhibition. Delmo speaks of the current state of the world as the inspiration for the exhibition. The past two years have become full of the unexpected and have brought so much for us to process or to cope with. Many of the characters in the imaginary world Delmo gives us, have eyes that express a range of emotions that we have all experienced from this recent precariousness, from cautiousness, determination, defi ance. Michael Delmo Michael Delmo, born in 1992, is an Information Technology graduate of the Professional Electronics Institute in Iloilo City, who prides himself as a self-taught artist. An essential mindset he carries along with him on the daily is the mantra "art is a prayer”. The mantra allows him to connect with his divinity and share meaningful ideals to his audience. Delmo explains with passion that "art chooses the artist as a channel through which it will be created and not the other way around". He considers himself lucky to be a vessel of messages that are spoken through his work. Deeply inspired by his wife and the people he surrounds himself with, Delmo also finds himself immersed in nature, listening to folk tales, myths, and the like. This is prevalent in his works that fall under the style that he calls "Magical Surrealism". He shares that in each process, he surrenders his mind and lets go of all hindrances and distractions to create. For his upcoming show, titled— Ugma, a bisaya word which means Tomorrow. Delmo aims to make his viewers feel a heightened sensuality when they enter a world suffused with the beauty of the unknown. His vision is to draw his audience into an enigmatic alien terrain that helps them explore beyond the corners of the canvas by using their intuition and imagination. Delmo opens himself to constantly explore and experiment. In his earlier years, he was heavily influenced by his exposure as a production designer for the Dinagyang Festival. A lot of folk and mythological elements are present in his paintings.

XPERIMENTAL RESIDENCY SOLO EXHIBIT PJ CABANALAN JUNE 2018 This it the culmination of the first 22 Narra residency program that started on February 2019. In his canvases, Cabanalan depicts his experiences ("Experi") and his thoughts ("Mental") and his painting process itself (experimental). Featuring people and places, landscapes, and mindscapes from his recent travels during the residency program.