ππ€π’πˆππ€π˜π€: 𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐀 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐀 𝐄𝐱𝐑𝐒𝐛𝐒𝐭𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐒π₯ 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐒𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 πƒπšπ§π§π² π‘πšπ²π¨π¬ 𝐝𝐞π₯ 𝐒𝐨π₯

 Curatorial Note

In a captivating dialogue of light and form, "PASINAYA" brings together two distinct yet harmoniously resonant voices in contemporary Philippine art: Gil Maningo and Danny Rayos del Sol. Through their masterful and innovative use of gold leaf, both artists delve into themes of figurative art, spirituality, and the enduring power of the feminine, offering a compelling back-to-back exploration of a timeless medium.


Gil Maningo’s canvases are a testament to a deep and abiding reverence for the masters of European modernism. His works echo the opulent sensuality of Gustav Klimt, the elongated elegance of Amedeo Modigliani, and the cubist fragmentation of Pablo Picasso. This rich artistic lineage culminates in his captivating portraits of his muse, Carmela. Maningo's goldleaf is not merely an embellishment; it is a fundamental element that imbues his subjects with a sacred aura, transforming flesh into icon. The shimmering surfaces, reminiscent of Byzantine mosaics and Art Nouveau patterns, articulate an internal luminosity that speaks to the very soul of the sitter. Through these portraits, Maningo builds a bridge between the historical grandeur of the past and the intimate, contemporary gaze. 


Standing in graceful counterpoint, Danny Rayos del Sol's works delve into a profound spiritual realm, utilizing gold leaf in a mixed-media exploration of the iconography of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rayos del Sol is a Marian devotee, his art is a pilgrimage of faith rendered in tangible form. He uses gold as a symbol of the divine, the sacred, and the eternal. 

The gold leaf, often applied in textured, abstract layers, interacts with other materials to create works that are both haptic and ethereal. His renditions of the different Marian titles—Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the Immaculate Conception, and others—are imbued with a reverential quietude and a powerful sense of grace. Rayos del Sol's process is a form of devotion, translating centuries of prayer and veneration into a contemporary visual language that is at once familiar and breathtakingly new.

"PASINAYA," a word meaning "inauguration" or "first offering," or “blessing” is a fitting title for this exhibition. It is a dual presentation that celebrates the first meeting of these artistic sensibilities and invites viewers to witness the inauguration of a new conversation.

Maningo and Rayos del Sol, working from seemingly different points of inspiration—the muse and the divine—converge on a shared plane of artistic inquiry. Both artists remind us that gold, beyond its material value, is a symbol of light, purity, and transcendence. In this exhibition, it is the medium that unites the earthly beauty of portraiture with the celestial grace of the sacred, creating a rich and reflective experience for all.  


 


Comments

Post a Comment