Ejem Alarcon
January 11 – 23, 2020
Opening Reception
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 6 PM
Village Art Gallery
Alabang Town Center, 1770 Muntinlupa City
What is it exactly about the canine personality that has singled out the dog from all the 4,250 species of non-human mammals to be man’s best friend? The solemn contract that was drawn up between man and dog dates back 10,000 years ago when wolves and early man both lived in “packs” for their mutual survival. Until this day, only the dog (the other one is the cat) is allowed the freedom of our homes.
Visual artist Ejem Alarcon’s fondness for dogs started when he was growing up as early seven years old. He even aspired in becoming a dog trainer and dog breeder himself, he is proud of the multiple bites in his arms and body as badges of honor in keeping them as guardians and as pets. It is a sobering thought for Alarcon that dogs are even more loyal, trustworthy, and reliable than human beings. They may turn on us, scratch us, or bite us, but canine for him symbolizes guidance, faithfulness, loyalty and alertness. They guard our homes, protect our persons, aid our hunts, even sniff out drugs at airports, rescue avalanche victims, and even guide the blind. In A Dog’s Reason Alarcon has elevated his canine love and passion for paints by featuring them on these seven canvases.
The intelligent breed of Pembroke Welsh Corgi greets the viewer entering the Village Art Gallery. Sitting regally he is portrayed in his usual stance on top of the vintage Vokswagen Kombi. Similar to the Corgi who actively herded sheeps, cattles, and horses, Alarcon is foremost responsible to his herd himself when he became a husband and father of two girls–his approach to life as his family has become his utmost priority. Alarcon’s compositions exudes nostalgia replete with art history as The Scream by Edward Munch is morphed along with other caricatures and cartoon characters in one big picture show. Tom and Jerry, Beavis and Butthead and The Simpsons make cameo appearances, adding a bit of pop while endemic birds flutter to decorate and complete the distinct narrative. St. Charles Hound looms in the background, evident by his being aggressive as he is the fiercest of dogs.
Depending on his intentions the sizes of Alarcon’s dogs vary. Positive values are emphasized such that the St. Bernard and the German Shepard are larger than life while the Maltese and the Cocker Spaniel, which is the Queen of England’s pet is evidently unmindful of his royal lineage is permitted to interact with them. Alarcon wants his masterpieces light, playful, and fun to the hilt. The presence of vanishing smoke makes it more dream-like ethereal fusion. Notice how his party hats, which is present in every Alarcon frame, put smiles to his subjects–life is a gift and every day we should use it to spread the good cheer that we are alive and well. Fond of the good old days, as a bringer of happiness, he fills in his canvases again with animation of yore from Bansky to Bugs Bunny, to Vincent Van Gogh are featured on another canvas. Even half of Mickey Mouse is present.
Among the quandaries of contemporary Philippine art is its uneasiness with great traditions of painting. Inherent is the distinct narrative content, personal expression and functional aesthetics offer its own form. Often it is deeply ironic–taking off from various foreign and indigenous influences—it views the art practice veering on plurality, relatively spontaneous and being dysfunctional. Contemporary art has the power to observe life in another dimension and step back in candid defilement as an alternative viewpoint. Alarcon’s sizeable pieces are more like graphical parables. Each scene has a lasting positive effect for viewers. Only Alarcon can come up with a kaleidoscope gathering of other dogs like the vulnerable Beagle, carefree Jack Russel, dominant Siberian Husky and fierce Rottweiler to co-exist harmoniously with each other, reminding us that we all breathe and share as one brady bunch. All must adopt/adapt with one another in our common habitat.
Of the four brothers who are all practicing artists, Alarcon is the most senior and a natural initiator. He wanted to be a trailblazer on his own, away from their conventional modes. He even invented his own paint brushes sourcing from make-up kits and construction tools to satisfy his precise strokes and translate his bespoke iconographies.
Dogs have so much to offer us. They are playful when we are in the mood for fun, they are loving when we are lonely or depressed; they are health-giving when they stir us into taking long walks or calming companions when we are agitated, apprehensive or tense. It is hoped that you will be able to increase your appreciation by viewing these canine portraits done in pop surrealism as art leaps up to greet you as if the gallery is your home and your dog opens the front door.
