Microcosm

“Guided by his own metaphysical value-judgements (explicit or otherwise), an artist selects, out of the bewildering chaos of human experience, those aspects he regards as indicative of the nature of the universe. Then he embodies them in a sensory-perceptual concrete… The result is a universe in microcosm.” – Leonard Peikoff, Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand

The human mind has been both glorified and probed for its vastness, complexity, and ingenuity. Artists, through the command of their craft, have the unique ability to bring what they see in their mind’s eye onto the physical canvas, creating microcosms, or little worlds, of the greater human consciousness.

In “Microcosm,” three distinct abstract artists have come together to explore the depths of the human mind and consciousness through their bold and dynamic works.

Benjie Cabangis is a celebrated abstractionist who has mastered the art of experimenting with form and space. His strength lies in layering allusions and references in his work, building off of the interior structures of a building, and dissolving slowly into stratified lights, shadows, and patinas.

Chewy Yap grew up surrounded by fabric and people working with them. As a result, her art collage work centers around manipulating fabric, drawing and cutting patterns on cloth, and laying them out in striking compositions. Each piece is lovingly crafted and detailed, a testament to the infinite possibilities of abstract cloth collage art.

Pancho Piano is a multifaceted artist who plays with myriad styles and mediums–from stained glass art and wood carvings to abstraction and clay sculture. His work is characterized by a vivacious energy and movement that flows through each piece, weaving together modern and traditional styles. Through his practice, he pays homage to the traditions, legends, and myths of Bicol, and the beauty of humanity.