Cover Jana Benitez in her studio at Union & Co
Jana Benitez in her studio at Union & Co
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Opening on the 8th of September, "Wild Silence" is a raw expression of introspection and the wild, meaningful emotion that flourishes when we silence the white noise around us
Filipino artist Jana Benitez has always been intrigued by the human experience. Reflecting on her earlier pieces, which focused mostly on faces, she shares: “From the very beginning, I was already interested in exploring the full spectrum of feeling and expressing subtle nuances between different feelings.” Now, 24 years since her first solo exhibition at Ayala Museum, this fascination continues to colour her artistry—but she contends with it from a remarkably philosophical outlook.
Opening on the 8th of September, 2022 at Pearl Lam Galleries Hong Kong, "Wild Silence" is a representation of our dynamic, latent consciousness, one that she attests is frequently untapped. “Wild Silence speaks to the subject matter of embodiment, sensation, and somatic awareness that has been central to my painting practice this past decade,” describes Benitez. “In my opinion, we can tune into our bodies at an energetic level in much the same way that we put the radio on and listen to a specific station. If we are tuned in just right and listening deeply, there is a vast, rich world of information there.”
Above Compass, 2021, oil and acrylic on canvas, 213 x 391 cm 84 x 154 in
Compass, 2021, oil and acrylic on canvas, 213 x 391 cm 84 x 154 in
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The title of her exhibition captures this very judgment. She explains that 'Wild' in the title refers to, “the vastness and depth of what is available to be experienced and interpreted. It also recognises that those aspects of our consciousness are not domestic spaces—they feel raw, boundless, and unconstrained and have yet to be chartered, languaged, measured, and contextualized.”
Conversely, 'Silence' encapsulates the need to tune out competing noise in order to zone inwards and make sense of the Wild. “A quieting down of our inner monologues, the recurring voices in our head, the news, commercials, external influences, all the noise of the world,” as the artist puts it. In doing so, Benitez believes, we uncover richer meaning—not only at the individual level but in a collective sense.
See also: The Turning Point of Andres Barrioquinto's Magnificent Art
Above Jana Benitez opened her first solo show at just 12 years old, in Ayala Museum
Jana Benitez opened her first solo show at just 12 years old, in Ayala Museum
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Her artistic approach further invigorates this philosophy, allowing it to translate effortlessly through each artwork. “I am less concerned about how a painting looks and more mindful of the energetic vibration that comes through the somatic transmission of the work,” she reveals. “I am more interested in asking the more intimate and personal question, Where can I go inside myself, my own psyche, and my own consciousness (which of course, is a portal into our collective consciousness); and, what can I do there that would be worthwhile to share with the world?”
Pearl Lam Galleries curator David Chan comments, “Wild Silence recognises our body as a holistic refuge and encourages us to pay attention to our innate capacity for love and compassion. By experimenting with the relational aspects of painting, Benitez broadens our understanding of mindfulness on different physical, psychological, and spiritual levels and extends our capacity for mutual tolerance as a collective consciousness.”
Above You are the Love You Seek, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 122 x 91 cm ; 48 x 36 in
Above Tonglen 2, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 122 x 102 cm ; 48 x 40 in
You are the Love You Seek, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 122 x 91 cm ; 48 x 36 in
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Chan also shares his admiration for Benitez’s relationship with art, noting “Jana Benitez is a compassionate individual who takes a unique interest in exploring art as a tool for reconciliation and healing.” In fact, the artist’s need to surrender is one of the many things Benitez loves about painting. “All the artists know, we don’t make this,” she professes. “We have the tremendous, humbling, insane privilege of just showing up and having it come through us.” This, Chan suggests, is what makes her work so crucial to the current zeitgeist. “Her interest is very timely as we are living in a world with increasing conflicts and we have to find ways to deal with trauma on an individual basis,” he declares.
Above Reflowering, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 183 x 152 cm ; 72 x 60 in
Above Glitter Physics, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 182.9 x 252.4 cm ; 72 x 60 in
Reflowering, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 183 x 152 cm ; 72 x 60 in
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“Wild Silence invites us to let go of our habitual storylines, to listen actively and deeply with our whole being, and to open ourselves to the vast world of sensation, intuition and interconnectedness,” Benitez proclaims. “I hope you can see the paintings in person. I gave as much as I could as honestly, intimately, and generously as I knew how… The opportunity to share that journey with others is deeply sacred and special to me.”
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