Ascension to Light

Lawrence Cervantes‘ second solo exhibition

March 23 – April 6, 2019

Opening Reception: March 23, 6:00 PM

Galerie Stephanie
Unit 4021 East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA cor. Shaw Boulevard, 1552 Mandaluyong, Philippines

In “Ascension to Light,” Lawrence transports his audience to a misty and melancholy swamp land populated with eerie otherworldly figures. This is his perception of ‘purgatory’ – a place where, after death, imperfectly purified souls go to be thoroughly cleansed and ascend to heaven, or fall into hell. Here, pure souls ready to ascend are enrobed in white, while the bodies of the evil spirits tempting the pure are fully exposed. Shielding the faces of most figures are massive flocks of birds, signifying freedom and free will; while the singular goat symbolizes the sacrifice required to attain purity.

For Lawrence, ”Ascension to Light” is an exploration of his personal belief system, as well as a step further into the narrative world he is continuously creating with brush and canvas. He says, “although there are times when I feel like this might be it, there is a part of me that wants to believe that there exists another world.” The interest was sparked by his past involvement in Church activities, a time when he considered becoming a priest. Ultimately, he humanizes purgatory by focusing on our free will as individuals.

A graduate of Fine Arts from the Bulacan State University, Lawrence Cervantes is one of a few young artists from Bulacan making waves in the art scene. Under the guidance of longtime social realist Renato Habulan, Lawrence has joined 12 group exhibitions at Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea, Ysobel Art Gallery, and at Galerie Stephanie. In 2018, he was one of the eight young artists awarded the Tuklas Residency Program, a yearlong mentorship program under artists Habulan and Alfredo Esquillo; culminating in his first solo exhibition “Winny Wanna Go to Heaven” at the Eskinita Art Gallery. Lawrence currently teaches part-time at the Bulacan State University.

“Ascension to Light” will be on view at Galerie Stephanie until April 6, 2019. For more information, call (02) 940 5726 or email inquiry.galeriestephanie@gmail.com