Renee Avila and Knell Valdecañas
Opening
September 10, 2020
R Gallery
26 V. Luna Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1100 Metro Manila, Philippines
Art, in its free form, conveys a lot of messages. It holds various emotions, memories, and expressions that the work itself and its artist share. It may be unforgettable or unimaginable. It can be an anecdote or memoir in the form of lines, shapes, and colors. Thus, the image painted in a canvas is an ideal story in the absence of words.
Modern artists nowadays are using art as a medium to relay a message of positivity and inspiration to people. The predicament we are experiencing during this pandemic resulted in hopelessness, leaving humanity in great despair. We have these unsung heroes such as frontliners to help, but some chose to use their brushes and canvas to draw a path that leads to encouragement. They have found their motivation in life through creativity.
Filipino contemporary artists, Renee Avila and Knell Valdecañas, both believe in the power of art to comfort and heal. Their artworks project emotions and feelings that are too overwhelming. They want long-forgotten good memories to be remembered, the untold wisdom of raging passion to be heard, and the inner thoughts to be disclosed. It is through the combination of silence and art that the unspoken words are distinct and resounding.
Renee Avila’s artistry revolves around the concept of a sense of safety or emotional security– exposing the unheard emotional side of humans.
“During childhood, we have a natural feeling of being safe, being carefree. As we grow up and go through more experiences, usually fear and other negative emotions overtake. My goal for my works is to bring back memories or feelings of times when we felt the most safe – it could be in the arms of someone you love, in solitude, in nature, and more.” Avila quoted.
Within the silent battle of unspoken thoughts, delves the expertise of Knell Valdecañas.
“The viewers of this exhibit will know my inner thoughts and catch a universe filled with questions and parked emotions. Feel what it means to exist yet keep thoughts to myself but later on express and hope to give birth to spectator’s appreciation.”
Valdecañas believes that breaking what has been hidden and marking what is yet to be unraveled serves a celebratory experience.
“Eluding the uniformity of quietude of words for neutral colours, I have put strokes of paint into canvasses and attempted to share what I feel through my artworks.” He said.
Avila and Valdecañas’ upcoming exhibition on September 10 will show how compelling art can be. Revealing memories and emotions that are difficult to find words for, and yet, they still become emphatic.
Join them as their artworks speak for the things that are left UNSAID!
