CONTEMPORARY artist Monica Ramos showcased her works touching on the human condition through her first dedicated solo exhibition, “Tenderness.” The exhibit was unveiled last Aug. 8 at 856 G Gallery, on A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City, Cebu and ran until Aug. 24.
Born and raised in Manila, Ramos has based her studio in New York since she graduated from Parsons The New School for Design in 2012, focusing on works using water-based medium, ceramics, publications and small objects. Her works, from book covers to editorial illustrations, has led her to collaborate with different brands and institutions like The New York Times, Google, TED, Hermès and Penguin Random House, to name a few. She delves into themes of femininity, sexuality and justice.
Ramos shared that this is her first show in a long time, having exhibited in the Netherlands “around 2013 or 2014.” She shared about the fun and challenge working with large scale format, as she mostly works with 4x4 canvases.
“It’s been very exciting to work at this scale. I think that’s something very new,” she said, while mentioning the 4x4 works seen in the entryway leading to a door where the large scale works were on display. “In my history of working, I only paint 4x4. It’s been a challenge and also exciting to take up this space.”
When asked about her chosen method, watercolor painting, she said she liked the aesthetic and primarily the immediacy.
“You really have to focus when you use watercolor. As soon as you put it down, you can’t take it back. You kind of just have to go with it. Each of these strokes, one brush stroke, is like one moment. You have to be quick and attentive,” she said.
“Tenderness,” which featured paintings and ceramics, is a reflection of her constant search for inner beauty. The exhibit also explores the connection people have between each other as well as liberty from the stigma of our sexual natures; drawing influence from folk art, ancient ruins and feminists Aude Lorde and bell hooks.
“The show is about more of inner life lessons I’ve been working on these past year; about accepting yourself and other people, being kind, creating some kind of peace with yourself so you can bring that out in the world,” she said.
Promoting inclusivity, free from shame and judgment, she shares her story yet hopes people can relate to the images.
“The figures are very simplified in a way that I hope people can project themselves onto; to feel a connection.”