ON exhibit at the third floor of Ayala Center Cebu are Celso Pepito’s sketches made during his recent trip to Peru and the United States. The exhibit displays the artist’s skill in drawing what he saw—five, 30 or so minutes—as he went through these two places. Thus, it is a different kind of Celso Pepito one sees here; not his trademark paintings showing love of God, family and country. Though in some of the sketches, there are those, too.
The artist considers this a minor exhibit but it is his 42nd solo show. He said he did it not only to celebrate his 62nd birthday but also “to inspire my viewers to value the importance of time. To be productive even in a limited time and space. To encourage my fellow artists to embrace the importance of sketching and to transform any travel into an opportunity of creative undertakings.” Thus, he calls the exhibit “The Creative Journey.”
“My trip to Trujillo and Miraflores in Peru had given me the opportunity to create nine pieces in pen and pencil sketches. In Stockton and Sacramento, I finished six sketches in pen, pencil and two acrylic paintings. In Florida, I finished 19 sketches in pen and pencil, eight watercolors and four acrylic paintings.”
Pepito’s creative journey did not stop in Peru or the United States.
“In line with the theme of this exhibit, I also initiated a collaborative artistic endeavor with Dexter Alazas. The objective is for me to discover another venue for my creative undertakings. It has also given me the opportunity to inject art with for Atelier Alazas’ fashion design. Above all, it will be an opportunity for the local hablon industry to be introduced to the Cebuano community through the art of fashion and the art of painting. The title of the painting I did on this dress is ‘Enhancing the Heritage.’ The medium I used was acrylic.”
Pepito’s “The Creative Journey” opened not with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony but by the unveiling of a Dexter Alazas black evening gown, revealing the painting of Pepito on the gown’s skirt.
For the longest time, Pepito’s works showed love of family, God and country. This was because, he explained, someone early in his career had asked him what the purpose was for his paintings. Coming up with the answer, he set out to paint in his distinctive manner. But as “The Creative Journey” shows, his art is not limited to that, nor is his vision for himself and for others like him whom he wants to inspire to create.
Life is short. Time is golden.
“The Creative Journey” will be up until Dec. 22.