Pagibig at Lumbay is a collection of artworks that tackles a journey of Adoration and Unrequited Love between Artist and his Muse amidst the reality of a Global Pandemic.
Although Janos Delacruz’ icons do not revolve around a particular key image or subject, each artwork is intended to be viewed as a Chapter Illustration of an unwritten novel. We are invited to explore the machination and inner musings of the artist as he travails from one diatribe to another.
His sculpture entitled “Kuya Daks” tells the story of a man in his most fragile state — removing the” smiling mask” that he showcases in society. The artwork is a commentary on hiding your beliefs and true self as we try to conform to social pressure, norms and biases.
It represents the reawakening of unique thought and removal of the shackles of docility. To be able to love freely and to create without limitations.
Janos’ drawings are an assemblage of random lines and patterns. An unfiltered brainstorm of a surreal idea from an incomplete dream to a fully rendered work on paper. As he transforms his work from one medium to another, the artworks will also evolve.
Although most of the artworks are rendered in Black and White in this art exhibition. Janos has always been fascinated in the art of printmaking and considers printmaking as his first love. Inspired by illustrated medieval manuscripts, the artist left the impurities in the plate and hand colored his etching fine prints. By doing so, he hopes to capture “individuality in the face of uniformity”.
Delacruz studied at the University of Santo Tomas, where he majored in Advertising Arts. A consistent winner in national student art competitions and a recipient of the Benavides Award for Outstanding Achievement, in 2006. In college, he learned the basics of printmaking. After college, he made further experimentation in printmaking and painting.
He held a solo exhibition of Intaglio Prints at the Crucible Gallery in 2006.
A prolific Painter and Printmaker, Delacruz’ art is a philosophical narrative that often delves into Social commentary and self-exploration. His subject matter is about the conflicted relationship between the Ethereal Beauty of the Divine and the Frail Reality of Man. As a visual artist, the Urban Landscape and its rich surreal imagery is his continuously evolving muse.
Pag-ibig at Lumbat will run until August 16, 2022 at Art Lounge Manila — Podium, Ortigas Center.
