While visual art can be appreciated through the digital screen, it pales in comparison to actually seeing the artwork in the flesh. Thankfully, with social restrictions now at their loosest since the start of the pandemic, art lovers can visit their favorite galleries once again.
Art Lounge Manila in Podium Mall, Mandaluyong has prepared a treat for its guests with a double exhibit running until May 1 — Rodel Buban’s Life and Inka Madera’s Secret Garden.
A self-taught artist, musician, and pastor, Buban integrates his art with his faith. It is his hope to share his faith, the love, the goodness, and the joy that comes from knowing and experiencing Christ through his art. And ultimately, the artworks seen in this show is an expression of the artist’s personal relationship with the source of all life, and an homage to the greatest artist, God.
In his 9th exhibition, the predominant element of his works is the artist’s use of flowing lines and waves in various hues and tones to give form and substance to the idea of life that the artist hopes to represent. But as a reflection of real life, each frame features a carefully curated color palette to represent the different moods, times, and seasons that we all go through in this voyage called life.
Meanwhile, Madera’s Secret Garden presents fragments and glimpses into intimate moments between the allegorical bridegroom and his bride in a secret garden from the Bible’s Songs of Solomon. In her 3rd exhibit, the artist uses bold brilliant colors, flora and fauna exploding from a dark monotone background to illustrate the richness of an inner life spent in intimacy with God.
Through this exhibition, the artist unfolds her own story of finding contentment, purpose, meaning and joy in her own intimate moments with God. Each artwork is as if a prayer that speaks about the beautiful and poignant moments in life. The artworks through form and color tell the stories of joy, of pain, of seeking and revealing. Seeking to reveal the mysteries of God, and of the revelation of His great love for His people, His bride.
The show is a unique glimpse of rare intimate moments in a person’s life, where in the midst of monotone mundanity, darkness, and pain, there lies celebration of joy and life.
These are underscored as a reflection of a vibrant inner life enriched by communion with God. That abiding in Him grants us the freedom and security to fully express all that we are created to be.
