Contemporary art has become more difficult to categorize.
There seems to be a fusing of genres and styles so that they can no longer be given a distinct definition. Hence, we label them under contemporary art.
Artists tend to specialize on one thing claiming a particular style as their comfort zone.
But take a look at the series of paintings here from artist Art Dela Cruz.
He offers us a kind of 3-in-1 treatment in one frame.
Art combines the elements of still life through the floral arrangements he incorporates in his work; the documentation of native species, the botanic and the fauna; and human interest via portraiture and figural studies — all in one painting.
Though clearly he is trying to preserve tradition, his body of works can become modern if he will further play around with forms in his compositions.
It can be a portrait showing the subject’s direct environs. And that will set some context of space and time, which can be felt when one is viewing the painting.
Taken at face value, Dela Cruz’s works are decorative and will definitely fit anywhere around the household. But it will be this effort of making his work pretty and beautiful that will make the paintings very conservative.
However, he now has his own niche because no one else out there is doing 3-in-1 paintings.
