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Interdisciplinary artist Patrick Esmao pushes his distinctive style by pivoting from his acclaimed silhouettes of cityscapes and skyscrapers to his latest vision
When one looks over the intricate works of Patrick Esmao, one might get confused about them belonging to National Artist Arturo Luz. However, this rising interdisciplinary artist would immediately admit that the late master of geometrical abstraction had greatly influenced his journey into the arts. And yet what sets him apart from Luz, or any of his contemporaries today, is his dedication and hard work in stitching his paintings with metallic threads—a painstaking act he has been used to by now and yet uncertain as to how many possibilities this distinctive practice would take him.
Hailed from Baras, Rizal, Esmao is an interdisciplinary artist who graduated in industrial education, majoring in drafting, at the University of Rizal System. He pursued this degree in an attempt to be an architect someday and yet fell in love with teaching young students the fundamentals of being an excellent architect or engineer. Suppose one connects a thread in his artistic journey. In that case, this profession has led him to a profound discovery—he was bound to be a contemporary artist who would continue, or perhaps revive, the minimalist artistry that lies in geometrical abstraction that had arisen in the modern period of the Philippine art scene.
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Esmao wouldn’t claim that—for he is as humble as a lamb when I met him during a dinner hosted by the Galerie Joaquin group for the press to get to know his story. After all, he had no formal training in art, and embarking on it as a full-fledged career entered his mind just before the pandemic. With a full-time teaching career and a part-time art practice, he broke his 13-year streak when he resigned in 2021 to strive for art as a lifelong pursuit.
“There’s no rulebook when it comes to pursuing the arts,” Esmao states. Soon enough, the artist participated in well-received multiple solo and group exhibitions and had his works included in several art magazines and coffee table books.
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Esmao had since then been known for his cityscapes and skyscrapers. With the guidance and support of Galerie Joaquin, and its founder Jack Teotico, he thought of an ingenious style that would set him apart. His early work was eventually added to the lineup of Galerie Joaquin‘s collaborative watches with Seiko.
This year, he opens his sixth solo show at Galerie Joaquin with a promising new series featuring landscapes.
“I decided to do a different subject to explore other shapes and forms of representation,” Esmao states.
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In this exhibition titled Threads of Time, geometric imitations of the desert and ruins are strategically rendered into their core elements, deriving perspectives anew where viewers glimpse into an elusive world of two-dimensional impressions. His solid groundwork in technical drawing shines through—as always—with an adept skill set that harmoniously entwines technical approach with artistic freedom.
“A simple change in the shape of a subject can really create and transform a whole new set of images,” Esmao comments. The artist explores irregular shapes to define the landscapes’ rugged contours, thoroughly illustrated by strategically stitched metallic threads that add dimensional depth and structure, elevating his sublime composition.
Although Esmao abstracted his figurations, there is still a sense of familiarity, making the experience of looking at his works devoid of the laborious search for profundity but simply inviting the viewer to appreciate the sublimity.
Above Patrick Esmao
Patrick Esmao
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“In essence, Threads of Time is an ardent exploration of history’s greatest treasures, a visual retelling of archival keepsakes that quartered important events in time. Through Esmao’s perspective, viewers are refreshed to see pieces of history depicted in an unparalleled art style, pulling the strings by redefining their elements down to their core basics,” Galerie Joaquin wrote in a statement.
“The idea of lost traditions and art making inspires how we try to put together the remains, to make meanings out of it. From the temples in Athens to the tombs in the desert, these are images that I think work well with my art style,” Esmao concludes.
Threads of Time runs until March 11 at Galerie Joaquin inside Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
