Prejudice is dangerous and unforgiving, and this is what Elmer Dumlao wants us to reflect in his Kamukhamo series: to be more sensible, fair, cautious, and discerning yet critically caring.
His work entitled, Kamukhamo: Nagmumurang Kamias is an allegory for a person of elder age yet behaves and dresses like a youngster. This work greatly implies our conservative nature towards social norms else one will be shunned and
Dumlao’s central piece Kamukhamo: Salamin is an interactive work of multiple mirrors installed on canvas where spectators can view themselves to their gusto while reading all positive attributes scribbled those one or two more aspects they might and wish to possess. We love to be loved, and this piece is what is all about. It is a moral anecdote on why we tend to criticize even though we do not want to be put in the same situation.
Dumlao’s Kamukhamo: Doble Kara not just focuses on the word signifiers but the materials he extracted to add further depth and meaning to his work. The “sakla” card game which composed of portrait signifies how we are viewed differently by people we met. It is said that people fear what they cannot understand, and truly enough this contagion infects us all for we rather are perceived as fearful than brave since decisions are not simply black and white or a choice of good versus evil all the time.
Dumlao as an artist does not judge, on the other hand, he considers himself a spectator and an observer of human interactions. He believed it is neither right nor wrong. It is situational, and is simply a condition to be separated, to be different, and to feel great.
Kamukhamo is presented by University of Santo Tomas Atelier Alumni Association Inc. (UST-AAAI) under the tutelage of Ms. Marissa Pe Yang, and in cooperation with The Artologist Gallery.
Kamukhamo: Face the Truth, Truth Is in Your Face is the 12th solo exhibition of Dumlao.
Kamukhamo is curated by Mr. Abe Orobia, and will be on view from 15 — 28 May 2022 with an Artist’s Reception on 21 May 2022 at 4:00 PM at the ArtistSpace.
