Art knows no form or bounds, whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, an installation, or toys. Space Encounters Gallery dissects these many possibilities and iterations with three shows this March.
POPCorn by Sam Peñaso is a showcase of just how far this fearless artist can take his craft. Being a multidisciplinary artist brought him traipsing around the world, staging solo shows and representing the country in Japan Thailand, Austria, Germany, Singapore, New York, Indonesia, and Abu Dhabi, to name a few. In POPCorn, Peñaso draws from spontaneous experiences and things that surround him for inspiration. In lieu of a focal point is a miscellany of works done using more than just one medium, what he dubs as a “halo-halo special.”
On the other hand, Bayani Galera tackles sentimentality with Take Your Seat, a solo exhibit that centers on the artist’s sense of community. Through his signature subject—chairs of varying styles and forms—Galera examines the contrasting ideals of a house versus a home while paying tribute to the community that serves as his artistic influence. As such, he collaborated with Dex Fernandez (a.k.a. Garapata), Wipo, Fitz Herrera, JP Duray, Nikko Pelaez, Michael Villagante, Vincent Mayor, Richard Legaspi, Ronwell Bacani, and Galera’s wife (and interior designer) Pam Santos Galera. The result: chairs interpreted in different styles, lending a more eclectic vibe to the entire show.
Meanwhile, Pieces of Us tackles how trivial parts, when brought together, create a bigger story. This duo show also further exemplifies how art goes beyond the visual experience. Atora and Neneko Martinez of Obscure Prototype Lab, together with Raymond Guevarra, join forces to showcase their unconventional creations. The Martinez siblings, who have been active in showcasing their creations in toy conventions and fairs in Metro Manila, debuts their first ever toy art exhibit. Complementing these toys are quirky artworks of Guevarra, who has a penchant for telling stories through kinetic motion. His interactive paintings and sculptures, which are inspired by pop culture images and childhood nostalgia, invite people to be participants in his creations, and not just mere viewers.
Catch the opening of POPCorn, Take Your Seat, and Pieces of Us on March 5, 2020 at 6pm. Space Encounters Gallery is located at Unit 7D, 7th Floor Padilla Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The gallery is open from Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am to 6pm; and on Saturdays, 11am to 5pm. Email spacegallery.info@gmail.com or call 0917-7956739 for inquiries. You may also log on to gallery.spaceencounters.net.
