Inspired by the observation of visual and modal patterns, Jo Balbarona’s oeuvre embody the color and flow of generational-relational connections. The end results are abstractions of the artist’s personal dialogue between chaos and peace.
Her paintings are an intuitive reflection of this observation of pattern. Many layers of paint build on each other as the subconscious is allowed a voice. Some of the layers are chaotic, some are geometric and orderly. The geometry is influenced by her fascination with the practice of paper folding or Origami. The crease patterns that are created when folding the Origami often reveal themselves as linework in the artist’s paintings.
For Balbarona, Origami is a metaphor for the potential that lies within each person, each neighborhood, each city, and each country in our world. One flat piece of paper, a seemingly simple material, through a multifaceted progression of paper-folds, can be transformed into almost anything. It can even be deconstructed–unfolded–in order to begin again. It is the artist’s hope that her art inspires viewers to appreciate the beauty in the details around them and to celebrate the world and their part in it.
Joan Antonio Balbarona (b.1977) is a self-taught artist from Hindang, Leyte. She studied Food Science and Technology at UP Los Baños. Joan has worked as a 3D animator and video editor, and now is a full-time artist. In 2013, she had the chance to study at the Art Students League of New York, under the tutelage of the well-known abstractionist Ronnie Landfield. She was one of the finalists in the non-representational category in the 2017 GSIS national art competition for her abstract “Ang Pagtangis ng mga Ibong Pipit”. She was also a finalist in 2017 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence for her sculpture entitled “The Colony”.
“Unfolding” by Jo Balbarona will be on view from October 24 to November 3, 2020. The Galerie is located on the 3rd level of The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
