ARTIST Basti Penayes III touches on the Filipinos’ both religious and superstitious sides with his first solo exhibit dubbed “Halad.”

Using acrylic and textile paint on canvas, he showed his slow transition from doing digital work, going back to the traditional medium he used years ago when he took up Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines - Cebu.

As an artist, he leans more on cultural elements and incorporates this in his art through a modernist approach.

Penayes said there’s a different satisfaction he feels when expressing things through this medium.

“Halad” in English means offering. In some ways, this exhibit is his offering to the arts.

The exhibit depicted his exploration in ethnic modernism as an art form. It also reflected 10 personal stories that show moments of thanksgiving, petition and penance throughout his life. It’s riddled with cultural and religious inklings as he shared that it also subtly touched on “The 10 Commandments.” While he shared that he isn’t religious, the irony of Filipino culture matched with superstitious beliefs, and how they go together, piqued his interest. This, in a way, makes Filipinos unique and interesting.

“My philosophy in art is that if you’re going to express something, it might as well be relevant,” said Basti, as he shared that his purpose is to spread awareness, specifically on local culture.

The exhibit was unveiled last Friday, Feb. 8 at Solitaryo Cinco Gallery in Asylum de Busay. It was also that night that Solitaryo Cinco Gallery was introduced to the public.

“Halad” will run until the end of February.