Beneath the Surface

In Beneath the Surface, nine artists come together to explore the narrative embedded in skin.

Since ancient times, different animal hides have been used to make clothing and tools. Long before paper was invented, our ancestors used to write on parchment made from untanned skins of sheep and goats. Far from being just a biological covering,the skin is a living canvas marked by time, shaped by experience, and colored by history. This outer layer that protects our muscles and bones also becomes a surface used for expression.

Each artist, employing their distinct style and medium, dissects the concept of skin not merely as pigment but as a layered symbol of identity and vulnerability. The skin becomes an armor where we tattoo our strongest beliefs but it is also an ever changing place where scars and burns are kept.

The artworks of the exhibit confront the complexities of skin tone-how it both defines and confines. The pieces contrast the softness of an innocent baby’s skin against the texture of the thick hide of a predator. Skin in the form of leather is also used as a material that enables utility and creativity.

The works deconstruct colors themselves. By blending and distorting, the artists are able to turn pores, wounds, and veins into unexplored terrains.

Through figuration, abstraction and conceptual forms, the exhibit asks:

What stories does skin tell? What truths does it conceal?

This collection invites viewers to engage with skin as both metaphor and material—to consider how it shapes our perceptions of self and others. As the layers unfold, Beneath the Surface reveals that under every hue is a shared humanity, complex and unbound.

Featured in this exhibition are recent works of Andre Baldovino, Benedict Simbulan, Gary Abada, Jeje Santos, Jopet Arias, Nicco Recasata, Raymond Carlos, Steven Burce and Yas Sehob.