|
Monday, May 08, 2006
Sweet Scent From Davao
By Ritchie Landis Doner Quijano
Every time the Davao-based painter Lito Pepito finds himself on Cebuano ground, his artist-friends here are always eager to see his latest works.
That’s because when he travels to Cebu he brings with him a body of works for a solo exhibit. He’s no stranger to the art community for Lito was born and grew-up in Lilo-an.
His one-man show Alimyon (ongoing at the SM art center this month) is a survey of recent art pieces showcasing the natural wonders that make his adopted city famous, such as the precious waling-waling orchid and delicate ecological sights, like the Marble River where sulfur deposits flow. And we will find as well the hairy rambutan and the thorny durian, all sweet native fruits figuring prominently in his still life painting. the main highlight of this exhibition though is the series of paintings he calls Valley of the Sun. These are his highly textured experimental oils done in the impasto technique and accomplished by juxtaposition in color scheming. These are mostly floral compositions given a modernist presentation as his personal touch.
Appearing like a palette board with lots of dried lumps of oil, they invite the inquisitive viewer for a closer inspection with his tactile senses. Since thick oils take lengthy amount of time to get dry, a painting can’t be done in a hurry. It will surely test one’s patience.
“To finish one is so fulfilling though it takes so much time but I enjoy every brushstroke”, Lito tells of the series.
As a senior artist in Davao he’s made and explored just about every aspect in painting be it large-scale murals to easel works.
Even as a self-taught artist he’s led artists there in many organizational activities. Non-discriminating in the use of medium, he does, he says, "Mural painting in oil and acrylic, portraits in oil and pastels. My varied subjects are mostly experimental to include found objects to my oils and acrylics but watercolor fascinates me most.” Creative investigations in mixed media have made his artworks more lively and playful. The theme Alimyon for his 16th solo show means fragrance or the nice scent of freshness. Indeed the show has given us a new perspective in looking at floral paintings. It’s a successful redefinition to the flower, as a popular subject, that examines the countless possibilities in composition.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 8, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
