IN A SCENE of contemporary contributions, digital outputs and Andy Warhol-driven kids, the presence of revered art exponents is a constant reminder that art, regardless the vehicle, lives on.
Within the local scope, the immortality of art is once again demonstrated by a band of brave experts with their knack for a traditional and at times misconstrued medium—watercolor. (Brave, because it is said that watercolor is a very difficult medium to control.)
Last Wednesday gallery visitors saw a rendition of strokes, splashes and transparency at the opening of “Waterproof: A League Front Runner Series,” featuring the works of well-known watercolorists in the country—Pablo Bean Santos, Fred Galan, Maxcel Migallos, Pempe Ybañez, Billy Pomida and Jose Kimsoy Yap.
A fare of 28 pieces justifies the secure rank of watercolor painting in a generation of experimental techniques, easy fame and sometimes, commercialized craftsmanship.
“The medium is not the number one consideration in art. The heart and passion are,” Galan underlined.
“Watercolor painting must be a passion. Otherwise, it is stressful,” Yap agreed.
Migallos and Ybañez corrected the notion that although watercolor painting looks easy to execute, it requires an excruciating planning. Honesty to the medium reveals its subtle beauty, they cautioned.
The history of watercolor (aquarelle in French) as a method can be traced back to the Renaissance, a period that emphasized the illustrations of one of the earliest recorded watercolor players, German Northern Renaissance icon Albrecht Dürer.
Sure, the world’s art landscape has evolved over the years. But in the heat of the recent trends, six Filipino artists stand unthreatened, uncompromised. They rolled the red carpet of art during their zenith. At present, they remain true to their vision and the layers of pigments in their perfected medium. For instance, the gist of every story extracted from the society is still profoundly narrated by Galan’s established romance with watercolor while fans continue to patronize
Yap’s portfolio that is ever-abundant with original, elaborate execution of watercolor as a weapon.
Both are art masters who made their mark in the 1980s. But even today, they are still legends in their own right; proof that watercolor refuses to succumb to intimidation.
Whether via watercolor, oil, acrylic, or mixed-media, art carries on and always will.
“Waterproof: A League Front Runner Series” runs until Sept. 24 in Qube Gallery at the ground floor of The Henry Hotel along Maria Luisa Road in Banilad Cebu City. Gallery hours are Mondays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 12 noon to 5 p.m.