IMMATERIAL: The Misery of Men without God

A one-man show by Artbermido

March 25 to April 7, 2022

ArtistSpace
Ground Level Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City 1224 Philippines

The dualistic view of the artist is that there are material and immaterial things. This is the thrust of this exhibition, to separate the mind and brain, body and soul, and a “perSON” from the individual. Understanding at the very least, the purpose of our existence.

Since the beginning, Artbermido’s paintings would revolve around the concept of stimuli. Each piece is a representation of an event, a person, or circumstances that in one way or the other has touched his life and has shaped him into who he is today. Each element found in his pieces is a stimulus, and every stimulus is formed by its own stimuli represented by the textures and colors that surround it.

These images developed from an imaginary concept of reoccurring visions that include figures, movements, and various emotions. Although these figures were formed out of serendipity, there is a balance however disguised and concealed the figures may be, which leaves the viewer free to interpret the pieces based on their own cognition and perceptions.

The stimuli in this exhibition suggest that we think of ourselves as immaterial things, and believe that it is possible for human beings to enjoy life after death – to exist even after one’s earthly body has ceased to exist. For many, it is hard to understand but to simply put it “immaterial” simply means spiritual, and this brings us to the existence of higher energy – the concept of GOD.

Finding God in the most abstract painting the artist could ever paint. It is a sad reality that men are removed from comprehending the extremes. Life itself is shrouded with mysteries – the beginning and end are nothing but a miracle. From the moment of conception, the journey to the unknown has begun, and the trail to nowhere has been tracked. This is our true state. We naturally believe ourselves far more capable of reaching the center of things than embracing the circumference.

Let this exhibition show you a moment of calmness, find your inner peace on each piece, and bring you to a placid landscape where you can feel serenity and contentment.

This article is by Artbermido.

About the Artist

ARTEMIO I. BERMIDO, JR. (b. 1979) is a Filipino visual artist based in the province of Quezon. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila with a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Painting.

Artbermido’s art has taken surprising twists and turns since he joined the art scene in the late 1990s. Starting as a representational painter, he has shifted more and more to abstraction in recent years. And in opposition to the general abstraction around, more of abstract expressionism really, his style has become sparer and Zen-like, as if to efface any notion of art or style, as if the frugal figures are giving way to the blankness of page or canvas.

– Lito B. Zulueta