In Field Activities, which is on view at the Art Center in SM Megamall beginning September 25 through October 11, artist Alvin Villaruel paints about motion and the presence of activity in our daily lives.
There is always something to do and somewhere to go to, involving work or play. The images appear in such constant movement. Villaruel notes that his techniques and approach to his work remain the same, with motion still the major theme.
The works in the exhibit, though, discusses more about just moving along. In the works “Prey,” “Predator,” and “Top of the Food Chain,” Villaruel tackles three levels of survival involving animals and humans at many levels, including “as a sport,” as in the case of wildlife hunters. He then expands his subject matter to include elements of war, nature, and technology, especially in how they affect man’s overall existence. Villaruel adds that each of the works stand out on their own. “They are consistent with my own current personal reflections. I didn’t actually have a planned approach for this new series, but I have selected the images to paint intuitively.”
Villaruel is far from finished in revealing his current state of mind. “I have many more messages to convey, as art mirrors our lives and the state of our existence. Artists have always been that way, being very reactive, be it in the subtle or vulgar manner.”
The piece, “The Arrival of the Express,” depicts a 1938 image of what scientists dubbed as “the hundred years storm” that hit the U.S. East Coast, leaving New York City, then already a powerful center of commerce, devastated. Villaruel notes, “The hurricane they nicknamed “The Long Island Express” happened many decades ago, but its relevance has increased since, now due to climate change. Even worse, [similar] events have taken place not only in America, but globally, especially here in our country.”
He hopes that his works will serve as subtle reminders for people to reflect upon, for his subjects and his painting approach to help connect his thoughts and the imagination of viewers.
Alvin Villaruel studied painting at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. In 2001, he received an honorable mention citation at the 54th Art Association of the Philippines Annual Art Competition, and was a finalist at the Shell National Students Art Competition in 1994.
Documentation
