T
he subconscious has a way of stimulating and infusing our history in every action we make, every motion we create. It warrants a certain investigation of reasons that may be hidden even to its author. Relying on our deep-rooted actions allow our intuitive, uncensored gestures to take form and etch our unique markings. In such stillness and silence of markings, lies a motion of unrest, inexplicable movement that makes the markings identifiable and obscure at the same time. Even contrived gestures such as one’s handwriting, drawing, or painting can reveal itself as one’s innate expression of identity. Trek Valdizno’s Space Dust conjures his artistic odyssey into abstraction of forms; a walkthrough to his ever-resilient obsession to elemental patterns and shapes; and a liberation of sensory imagery that besets his inner consciousness. His engagement to muted colors and totem-like forms are reminiscent of old works during his formative years in Fine Arts. Recurring images hidden in palimpsest of paint, now sets their grand stage in his monumental pieces. Valdizno’s quintessential gestural strokes and frantic scheme of colors are transposed into meditative reflection of his artistic state. In each piece, viewers can easily perceive a familiar object taking its shaped under the guise of shadows and silhouettes. His biomorphic and geometric figures continuously tease onlookers to disentangle the mystery behind the images. In them, we find semblance of towering chess pieces in their immovable state; intricate forms of ancient sword handles with pommels and grips resolving into ambiguous outlines of either a mosque or temple. For Valdizno, these forms are his personal totems that spontaneously revealed themselves in his ruminating meandering of his artistic vision. He gradually shrouds them in mystery with their background as if soon to be covered with dust.
Wonder of Silence, 2016 Acrylic on canvas
135.00 × 305.00 CM / 53.19 × 120.17 IN
Stop the glorification of busy, 2016 Acrylic on canvas 153.00 × 336.00 CM / 60.28 × 132.38 IN
In Valdizno’s artistic process, movement and meditation coalesce in equal measure. He allows his colossal backgrounds of metallic silver and gold; muted black and earthly color palletes to provide him with the images. Each form is realized like an apparition that gradually discloses the entirety of a message. His unplanned execution of strokes on his canvas showcases his decisive intuition. The figuration of print-like towers showcases his persistence to arrive at symmetrical forms and on a closer look imprints his expressionistic gestures. Removing himself from his usual bold movement and gestural strokes that try to capture fleeting visages of moods, he turns to ambient and pensive actions of repeated motions taking queue from each breath he exhales. This process captures the artist’s meditative and introspective artistic disposition. Valdizno’s seemingly arbitrary designation of titles to his works draws us to the inner working of his mind. In it, he sets a proposition to his viewers, a way of interpreting a piece, a map to his current worldview. His titles, Wonder of Silence and Stop the Glorification of Busy reminds us the essence of withdrawing ourselves from the cacophony of sound and images most notable in the metro. As an artist who spent most of his artistic career around the fast-paced and demanding life in Manila, he retreats to his hometown and relishes the enclosed calmness of the province. His work entitled Leave Your Mind Alone and his series Addicted to Thoughts give us an annotation of his mantra. These pieces are also indicative of the shift in mood and tone as we are presented with more definitive outlines and piercing shapes extruding from the blues and burnt orange pigments.
Leave your mind alone, 2016 Acrylic on canvas
135.00 × 244.00 CM / 53.19 × 96.14 IN
Addicted to Thoughts 1, 2016 Acrylic & enamel on canvas
122.00 × 92.00 CM / 48.07 × 36.25 IN
Addicted to Thoughts 2, 2016 Acrylic & enamel on canvas
122.00 × 92.00 CM / 48.07 × 36.25 IN
Addicted to Thoughts 3, 2016 Acrylic & enamel on canvas
122.00 × 92.00 CM / 48.07 × 36.25 IN
The sun doesn’t give a fuck if it blinds you, 2016 Acrylic on canvas 183.00 × 153.00 CM / 72.10 × 60.28 IN
Everything is only an assumption, 2016 Acrylic on canvas 214.00 × 397.00 CM / 84.32 × 156.42 IN
Enlightenment for lazy people, 2016 Acrylic on canvas 224.00 × 337.00 CM / 88.26 × 132.78 IN
You suffer because you enjoy it, 2016 Acrylic on canvas 135.00 × 244.00 CM / 53.19 × 96.14 IN
The two massive stretch of canvas in Enlightenment For Lazy People and Everything Is Only An Assumption are impositions both in title and the space they occupy. With their engulfing sizes, the images taunt the spectator to momentarily forget the outside world and recognize the visual delight and serendipity in front of them. The glaring metallic gold tones in his works The Sun Doesn’t Give A Fuck If it Blinds You and You Suffer Because You Enjoy It are tactile manifestation of the artist’s awareness of the lure of monetary gains and how we disregard the value of simplicity and tranquility. At the heart of the exhibition, we are laid out with an enigmatic image in The New Paradigm Of Love. The final piece to complete and encapsulate the symbiotic cluster of images Valdizno orchestrated. At the center, an eye-like outline hypnotizes the viewer and forms a maternal image of a queen, bearing command on the elements around it, as if enthroning itself as the overseer, the source of all inspiration. In it, the outlines are etched with the artist’s own fingernails. In revealing the surface, glorious outlines are defined and the magnanimous piece is realized. Space Dust is Trek Valdizno’s homage to his artistic roots and an acknowledgment of his current state of mind. His works lead us back to his initial exploration of abstraction and their transformation to perfection. It is where his subconscious becomes conspicuous. • MICHAEL JOHN ‘LEC’ CRUZ LIVES AND WORKS IN QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES. CRUZ IS A GRADUATE OF BA PHILOSOPHY AND STUDIED FINE ARTS MAJOR IN STUDIO ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN. HE IS ALSO AN ACTIVE ART WRITER SINCE 2015 FOR ARTIST EXHIBITIONS IN MULTIPLE GALLERIES INCLUDING ART INFORMAL, UNDERGROUND GALLERY, BLANC GALLERY AND HONG KONG ART BIENNALE.
The New Paradigm of Love, 2016 Acrylic on canvas 244.00 × 183.00 CM / 96.14 × 72.10 IN
TREK VALDIZNO BORN
1968
E D U C AT I O N
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Painting, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines
Bulacan, Philippines
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2015 “Give me Space and Don’t tell me what to do” SLOT GALLERY, AUSTRALIA 2014 “Plethora” GALLERIA DUEMILA, INC., PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES “Capre Diem” THE DRAWING ROOM, MAKATI CITY 2012 “Mutual Gravitation” THE DRAWING ROOM, MAKATI CITY 2011 “Fortune Cookie” THE DRAWING ROOM, MAKATI 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, PHILIPPINES 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, PHILIPPINES “Revolution” VARGAS MUSEUM, U.P 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
2016 2015 2013 2011
“They speak to you by association” GALLERIA DUEMILA, INC., PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES “Artfair Philippines 2015” THE LINK, PARKWAY DRIVE, AYALA, MAKATI CITY “Placebo Painting” GALLERIA DUEMILA, INC., PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES “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, 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, 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, PHILIPPINES 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 “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, PHILIPPINES 2000 “Drawings” STARBUCKS CAFÉ, MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES “Butterflies” BUTTERFLY BLUE BAR, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES 1999 “Drawings in Color” ART CENTER, SM MEGAMALL, MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES “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, PHILIPPINES 1998 “Ten: Recent Paintings” LOPEZ MUSEUM, PASIG CITY, PHILIPPINES U.P. 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, PHILIPPINES “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, PHILIPPINES 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, PHILIPPINES 1994 “Pleasure of Painting” ART CENTER, SM MEGAMALL, MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES 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, PHILIPPINES 1992 Recent Paintings, Thesis Exhibitions U.P COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES 1991 “Embargo” U.P FACULTY CENTER, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES “Dog Days” ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANILLE, MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES
g alle r ia du e mila 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), Duddley 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. services: conservation and restoration of paintings, consultancy services, commissions and installation
SPACE DUST Trek Valdizno November 12 to December 31, 2016 A RT D I R E C T O R
Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz
EXHIBITION TEAM
Johanna Labitoria Anna Rafanan Thess Ponce Bing Francisco Mayet Taluban Roy Abrenica Ulysis Francisco Edgar Bautista Jose Jeoffrey Baba Gabriel Abalos EXHIBITION NOTES GRAPHIC DESIGN
Lec Cruz Anna Rafanan
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