Roberto Feleo
October 30 – November 28 2021
Altro Mondo Creative Space
1159 Chino Roces Avenue, San Antonio Village, 1203 Makati
Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea is pleased to present ANG MGA SINASANTO ATBP., a solo exhibition featuring works by master sculptor Roberto Feleo.
The exhibit s comprised of two central components: “Sinasanto” and “Atbp.” The exhibit perceives Feleo materializing key figures and concepts that he encountered during his readings on Philippine studies, which have profoundly influenced his way of “seeing”.
For Sinasanto, Feleo plays with the multi-layered meanings of the word through a series of intricately sculpted wooden figures. The word Sinasanto is derived from the Spanish word santo, or saint, which has been adopted into the Filipino language. Santo also refers to wood-carved statues of Christian saints, which was introduced to the archipelago by early Spanish settlers. These figures replaced the anito, which was believed to be the guardian spirit of the Filipino world. Lastly, Sinasanto also means “to revere” a certain icon or figure. In this exhibition, there are seven Sinasanto figures overall that creatively bring into existence key individuals and concepts in Philippine history.
Among these representations include “Ang Bumbulong na Pinteng” (The Whispering Pinteng), a manifestation of a beheaded Cordillera warrior who incites other warriors to violence. There’s also Andres Bonifacio, founder of the Katipunan, who spearheaded the 1896 Philippine Revolution against Spain.
The second section of the show, “Atbp.” is made up of leading names in the Philippines’ struggle for independence against the colonial powers of Spain and the United States. “Miss America”, “Ang Magtatanso” (The Con Man)”, and “Si Goyo” are among the works that make up this part of the collection.
Ang Mga Sinasanto, Atbp. is a multifaceted exploration of the way Feleo curiously constructs and deconstructs his chosen medium, putting his passion for Philippine history on full display. These figures, each lovingly and painstakingly crafted by the master sculptor himself, speak to the inseparable link between his identity as an artist and a Filipino.
