Shooting Stars by Trek Valdizno

SHOOTING STARS Trek Valdizno

SHOOTING STARS

by Trek Valdizno

07 October - 04 November 2023

ART DIRECTOR

Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz

Liezel Marata

EXHIBITION TEAM

ART MANAGER Thess Ponce

Roy Abrenica

Mariela Araza

CURATED BY

CATALOGUE DESIGN

EXHIBITION NOTES BY

Edgar Bautista

Gabriel Abalos

Jose Joeffrey Baba

Sandra Palomar-Quan

Kyle Azarcon

Johanna Labitoria

Copyright © 2023 Galleria Duemila Inc.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system transmitted in any form by any means without the written consent of the above mentioned copyright holder, with the exceptional reasonably brief excerpts and quotation used in articles, critical essays or research.

SHOOTING STARS

by Johanna Labitoria

Trek Valdizno’s Shooting Stars is the exploration of the inner and outer worlds. The fabric of spirituality seeps through as his works call to mind his fascination with the unknown.

The affinity with the shooting stars or scientifically called as meteors or meteorites may be attributed to his own inward journey. At the outset, the artist recognizes that there is something greater than oneself that is divine or cosmic in nature. It is a connection forged within himself and his outer world.

The artist’s fascination with cosmology and geology led him to collecting tektites, particularly those from the Czech Republic called moldavites. Tektites are small, rock-like objects of Earthen material that have been melted by meteorite impact and ended up on Earth. Their name comes from the Greek word 'tektos', meaning 'molten'. A couple of years ago, the artist made an installation utilizing a tektite and a curved metal bar against an all-black wooden panel. This is his first foray into utilizing the image of the elusive shooting stars. This work allowed him to simulate the image of a meteorite and investigate its physical dimensions. Now, he has incorporated the concept in the form of painting.

For the artist, the process of painting is a spiritual catalyst; one that allows him to be in a state of rising above his earthly self. For him, it is a form of meditation having to paint one element over and over again. He starts out with painting the background. He, then, senses and feels. He blends colors and techniques through intuition. His painting gestures follow the behavioral pattern of a shooting star. It is a unique, guided practice.

In an angle, the paintings look like an interweb of strings, pulling and connecting each other. It formulates a certain sense of bond. In its most obvious state, the paintings are representations of heavenly bodies. The circular shapes created are like looking into a dimension. These form a depth through positive and negative

spaces. The resulting piece, although flat, conveys a three-dimensional, boundless form moving towards infinity.

Trek’s process may be referred to as automatic painting in which inspiration is tapped from a tranced state. Automatism refers to digging deep in the unconscious mind and movement without conscious pondering. Later automatism played some part in abstract expressionism. In a sense, automatic painting is creating harmonious art. That with which the mind and the body agrees in one thought. Contrary to the random gestures, the resulting works are purposeful and directed. Flashes of insight and vision from a higher being have made their way to the artist’s canvas. Thus, the works are a reflection of the artist’s illuminated inner world.

The paintings are doused in flat and shimmering acrylics portraying the different colors of the stars when subjected to different conditions in their realm. The pervading images are spirals, full, and semi-circles. In cosmological underpinnings, circles are a perfect shape. It represents totality and wholeness.

Divine Message is a 5x5 ft. work in colors reminiscent of the sun. It is a commanding and regal work only fitting of the only star in our solar system. Interstellar captivates the viewer in a pastel orange hue. Fireballs is a bright red and yellow composition, seemingly ablaze. Intergalactic Bliss is a symmetrical psychedelic form in a mix of overlapping colors. Star of Bethlehem and Supernova envelopes the work with cascading circular motions in extended gestures. Meteor Showers, Beacon of Hope and Celestial Fireworks resemble a meteor shower in all its glory. Moon Child is composed of lighter hues of blue and white, breaking through the black expanse of the universe.

Trek’s works are a pure representation of the artist’s endless inspiration to the wonder of the celestial bodies. In these works, connection to the universe comes to light. For the artist, a shift happens. Revelations dawn. It is the recognition of a rooted individuality and power.

The realization that we are one with the universe is in itself a transformation. It allows us to see our own version of the sacred. The spiritual weave in the works of Trek reminds us that we are uniquely formed yet we are thoroughly guided. We are grounded in ourselves yet remain integral to our outer world. Just as Indian Philosopher Osho has phrased it, the whole universe is our being and stars in different colors just give a beautiful variety to existence.

Beacon of Hope 2023 acrylic on canvas 152.40 x 152.40 cm / 60.05 x 60.05 in.

Fireballs 2023 acrylic on canvas 152.40 x 152.40 cm / 60.05 x 60.05 in.

Celestial Fireworks 2023 acrylic on canvas 122.00 x 122.00 cm / 48.07 x 48.07 in.

Star Child 2023 acrylic on canvas 122.00 x 122.00 cm / 48.07 x 48.07 in.

Stardust 2023 acrylic on canvas 122.00 x 122.00 cm / 48.07 x 48.07 in.

Supernova 2023 acrylic on canvas 122.00 x 122.00 cm / 48.07 x 48.07 in.

Intergalactic Bliss 2023 acrylic on canvas 152.40 x 152.40 cm / 60.05 x 60.05 in.

Interstellar 2023 acrylic on canvas 152.40 x 152.40 cm / 60.05 x 60.05 in.

Comet 2023 acrylic on canvas 122.00 x 122.00 cm / 48.07 x 48.07 in.

Star of Bethlehem 2023 acrylic on canvas 152.40 x 152.40 cm / 60.05 x 60.05 in.

Moon Child 2023 acrylic on canvas 122.00 x 122.00 cm / 48.07 x 48.07 in.

TREK VALDIZNO b. 1968 (Bulacan, Philippines)

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Painting College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines Diliman

RELATED WORK AND EXPERIENCE

1998 to

2000 Art Instructor, International School of Manila, Makati City, Philippines

1998 Art Instructor, Third Space Arts & Laboratory, Quezon City, Philippines

1997 Art Instructor, Philippine Airlines (PAL) Sports Center, Pasay City, PH

1995 Art Instructor, Ayala Museum Foundation Inc., Makati City, Philippines

Apprenticeship, Museum Apprenticeship Program, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Philippines

Seminar, National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), NCCA Conference Hall, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

Seminar, Preventive Conservation of Museum Artifacts, Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines

INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITIONS:

2022 Beguiling Temptation, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

2019 Temporal Dislocation, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

2018 The Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

2016 Space Dust, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

2015 Give me Space and Don’t tell me what to do, Slot Gallery, Australia

2014 Plethora, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

Carpe Diem, The Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

2012 Mutual Gravitation, The Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

2011 Fortune Cookie, The Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

2008 Urgent Paintings from San Rafael, Bulacan, Artist Corpus Gallery, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

2007 Phantasmagoria, Mag:net Café, High Street, The Fort, Taguig City, Philippines

2006 Reductio Ad Absurdum, Mag:net Gallery ABS-CBN, Quezon City, PH

2005 Non-geographic specific familiarity, Alliance Francaise de Manille, Makati City, Philippines

Blind Paintings, West Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

Surface Tensions, Finale Art File Gallery, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

2000 Recent Sculptures, Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

Recent Sculptures, Butterfly Blue Bar, Quezon City, Philippines

Luna, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

1999 Drawings and Sculptures, Matina Bar, Manila, Philippines

1998 Bodies of Water, Bulwagang Fernando Amorsolo, CCP

Divination, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

Freedom, World Trade Center, Manila, Philippines

1997 Earthly Paragon, Gallery 139, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines

Heaven and Earth, Old Mansion, Cagayan, Philippines

Climate, Weather, Seasons, Rainbows, Finale Art File, Mandaluyong City, PH

Revolution, Vargas Museum, UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

1996 Transfiguration, Lopez Museum, Pasig City, Philippines

1995 Polarity of the Oblivions, West Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

Conversion, Alliance Francaise de Manille, Makati City, Philippines

1993 Clouds Part I, Pasillo Carlos V. Francisco, CCP, Philippines

Clouds Part II, Pasillo Carlos V. Francisco, CCP, Philippines

Double Entendre, De La Salle University Gallery, Philippines

1991 Bubblegum State, West Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

2023 Xavier Art Fest 2023, Fr Rafael Cortina Sports Center

2022 It’s Casual Entertainment, We Aim to Please!, Galleria Duemila, Pasay City, Philippines

2021 “Pause to Reframe”, ALT 2021, Finale Art File, Makati City, Philippines

2020 “Carpe Diem: Beyond Seizing the Day”, ALT 2020, Taguig City, Philippines

2018 “Pasasalamat”, Finale Art File, Makati City, Philippines

“An Italian in Manila”, Galleria Duemila Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

Art Fair Philippines 2018, Makati City, Philippines

2016 “They speak to you by association”, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, PH

2015 Art Fair Philippines 2015, Makati City, Philippines

2013 Placebo Painting, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

2011 Complete and Unabridged, Institute of Contemporary Art, LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore

2010 Faith and Reason, Manila Contemporary, Makati City, Philippines

Lightning Show, Manila Contemporary, Makati City, Philippines

See you in my next dream, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

Ateneo Art Auction, Makati City, Philippines

China International Gallery Exposition, China

2009 Art Singapore, The Contemporary Asian Art Fair, Singapore

Drawing Painting, Galleria Duemila, Inc., Pasay City, Philippines

China International Gallery Exposition, China

Manila Art World Trade Center, Manila, Philippines

Art Flood Auction

Here Be Dragons, Manila Contemporary, Makati City, Philippines

Art Manila ’09, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines

Coloratura, mo_space, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Recurring Fancies, Artis Corpus Gallery, Mandaluyong City

2008 Inaugural Show, Mag:net Gallery, Makati City, Philippines

Christmas Show, Mag:net, Katipunan, Quezon City, Philippines

12 x 9 Show, West Gallery SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

2007 Nostalgia is not what it used to be, Mag:net, Katipunan, Quezon City, PH

Christmas Show, Mag:net, Katipunan, Quezon City, Philippines

2006 On Paper, Mag:net, ABS-CBN, Quezon City, Philippines

2005 Unna, Galeria Esperanza, San Pablo City, Philippines

Christmas Show, Mag:net, Katipunan, Quezon City, Philippines

Zone, Mag:net Gallery, Makati City, Philippines

2004 Christmas Show, West Gallery, SM Megamall, Philippines

Christmas Show, West Gallery, West Avenue, Philippines

Christmas Show, West Gallery, Glorietta, Philippines

Trip, Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

Inventory, Cubicle Gallery, Pasig City, Philippines

The Sedimentation of the mind is a jumbled museum, Jorge Vargas

Museum, UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

2002 Reflecting Skin, Pinto Art Gallery, Antipolo City, Philippines

2001 True Confessions: Words, Thoughts, Acts, Art Center, SM Megamall, PH

2000 Drawings, Starbucks Café, Makati City, Philippines

Butterflies, Butterfly Blue Bar, Quezon City, Philippines

1999 Drawings in Color, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, PH

Recent Drawings, Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

Lightning Show, Big Sky Mind Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

1998

Illuminated Pleasures, Art Center, Sm Megamall, Mandaluyong City, PH

1998 Ten: Recent Paintings, Lopez Museum, Pasig City, Philippines

UP Alumni Association, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

Et al, Soumak, Makati City, Philippines

Drawings, Finale Art File, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Kata Kata, Third Space, Quezon City, Philippines

1997 The Inner Child, Gallery 3, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

Personal Holidays, Mai Room, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

Art at the Park, Greenbelt Park, Makati City, Philippines

Conversational Piece, Gallery 3, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

The Miter Box, The Plumbing Trap, God and other Matters, West Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

Ground Zero, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Dividing Line, West Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

Hakut, Junk Shop Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

1996 Dangerous Metaphor, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, PH

Images, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Wall Bound, Gallery 3, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

Measure and Metaphor, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, PH

1995 Journey to the Void, De La Salle University Gallery, Manila, Philippines

Paintings by Numbers, CCP, Roxas Blvd., Manila, Philippines

Recent Works, Finale Art File, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, PH

1994 Pleasure of Painting, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, PH

1993 Fear and Desire, Bulwagang Juan Luna, CCP, Roxas Blvd. Manila, Philippines

Large Animal Surgery Lab, West Gallery, Quezon City, Philippines

Narrative and Allegory, Alliance Francaise de Manille, Makati City, PH

1992 Recent Paintings, Thesis Exhibitions, U.P College of Fine Arts, Quezon City, Philippines

1991 Embargo, UP Faculty Center, Quezon City, Philippines

Dog Days, Alliance Francaise de Manille, Makati City, Philippines

TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS:

2001 Faith in the City, ABN AMRO House, Penang, Malaysia

Faith in the City, Valentine Willie Fine Arts, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2000 Faith in the City, Earl Lu Gallery, SIA College of the Arts, Singapore

COLLABORATIVE WORKS:

2004 Terrain Games: Collaboration with Sandra Palomar, Magnet Paseo, Makati, Philippines

1998 Sightings (Le Corbeau Rouge): Performance and installation with Sandra Palomar, Third Space Arts and Laboratory, Quezon City, Philippines

Earthly Paragons: Collaborative painting exhibition with Popo San Pascual, Gallery 139, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines

1997 Box: Collaborative works with Sandra Palomar and others, Salle Stratis

Andreadis (Mediatheque) of the Ecole Nationale Superieure Beau Arts

Paris, France

AWARDS:

1998 Shell Philippines: Shell Art Competition Finalist

1994 Philip Morris International: Philippine Art Awards, Jurors Choice

COMMISSIONED WORKS:

1997 MTV Philippines

LG Collins Philippines

Movies, Television, Rating and Classification Board (MTRCB)

Philippine Airlines Lobby Lounge

Kai Tak International Airport, Hong Kong

GALLERIA DUEMILA was established in 1975 by Italian born Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz. Duemila means "twentieth century", and it was this vision that inspired Duemila's advocacy in promoting and preserving Philippine contemporary art. To date, it is the longest running commercial art gallery in the Philippines maintaining a strong international profile. With the vision to expose its artists locally and within the ASEAN region, Duemila complements its exhibits with performances, readings and musical events in its custom-built gallery in Pasay City, Manila.

Galleria Duemila takes pride in being the only local gallery to publish and mount retrospectives of artists as part of its advocacy in pursuing art historical research and scholarship. With the collaboration of institutions, Duemila has mounted the retrospectives of Roberto M.A. Robles (Ateneo Art Gallery, 2011), Dudley Diaz (Vargas Museum, 2009), Julie Lluch Dalena (Cultural Center of the Philippines, 2008). It has also published a book on Diosdado Magno Lorenzo (National Library of the Philippines, 2009) and produced a major Pacita Abad exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, 2004. The gallery maintains close ties with museums throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States. Its futurist vision keeps it at the cutting-edge of Philippine art, making and archiving history as it happens.

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