Anton del Castillo
November 25 – December 8, 2020
Galerie Stephanie
Unit 4021 East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA cor. Shaw Boulevard, 1552 Mandaluyong, Philippines
The world we knew has changed. Suddenly, we have been thrust to the dystopia that Anton del Castillo has been painting for the past eight years. COVID-19 has made the artist’s frightening world of men and women wearing masks to survive, a literal reality. But what if it were just a prelude of more pandemics to come?
In “Living in Repentance or Luxury”, a woman wearing a mask enjoys herself as she carries six bags of luxury goods. Many of the works reflect living indoors, and yet, the people are dressed seemingly prepared for a party. The systems and values we have that led us to the dramatic highlight of the pandemic has remained. We have just donned the mask, accepted it as a second skin, and carried on our wasteful, injurious, and unjust ways; ways that will likely bring on other corrective measures of nature.
Although the body of work for Prelude may have been intended by Anton del Castillo to be originally seen through the lens of faith, the consequences are parallel, in this world or in the world of the spiritual. The sin of omission, our ability to act for the cause of what is right and just, will still take its toll whether we are judged by nature or by the Divine. Perhaps the Anton del Castillo will once again prove prophetic. This might sadly just be a prelude of whatever is to come.
For more details, you may email inquiry.galeriestephanie@gmail.com or call 7940-5726.
#ArtPH #AntonDelCastillo