Chito Maravilla, a name that translates to marvel or wonder in Spanish. This word, which also functions as the last name of the artist Chito Maravilla, encompasses so much of himself, and describes how he sees the world around him.
Maravilla marvels at the social nature of his new home, in Canada. He wonders also about his love and longing for his home in the Philippines. There is so much to unpack when living in two worlds.
His paintings and illustrations are a documentation of his perceptions, his perspectives, of his life, whether rendered in a surreal whimsical manner, or as simple, tangible impressions of wonder. Some elements may seem juxtaposed between the two worlds, but that is not the focus. Rather than compare, he intends to celebrate life in its various manifestations, and to uplift the spirit and inspire through these vignettes.
In some ways, Maravilla is like a television. An unexpected sequence of moments, all with varying textures and mediums, like changing channels. It must be something he has inherited from his many years of working in the advertising industry. Each day is different.
Today, a beer commercial, tomorrow, a baby ad. Life is short and fast. We create, we communicate, we marvel.
Ferdinand “Chito” Maravilla, an artist from the Philippines, has lived in Canada for more than 20 years. Fuelled by a passion to draw, Maravilla’s love for art started during his younger days at Malate Catholic School in the Philippines, which inspired him to pursue a career in arts and finished a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Major in Advertising from the University of Santo Tomas. He was an art director at Campaigns & Grey Advertising in MARAVILLA: Visions of a Filipino-Canadian Artist is a solo exhibition of Chito Maravilla. It will be on view from 8 to 21 November 2022 at the ArtistSpace located at Ground Level, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City.
