Cover Tina P. Colayco, Randalf Dilla and wife, Butch Abad
Tina P. Colayco, Randalf Dilla and wife, Butch Abad
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The Metropolitan Museum of Manila (M) in Bonifacio Global City presents three large-scale works of contemporary artist Randalf Dilla and the three paintings of the Old Masters that inspired Dilla’s works
Running until October 28, Randalf Dilla’s latest exhibition titled Time Tunnel takes art lovers and collectors into a liminal space where everything is possible. The sought-after contemporary artist takes Philippine Old Masters Juan Luna, Fabian de la Rosa, and Fernando Amorsolo’s works as his jump-off point for his three large-scale paintings. The massive paintings depict dynamically the impressionist moments in the past captured by the Old Masters. Dilla breaks them from the barriers of their gilded frames and brings them into a liminal space where the “past, present, and future, the surreal and the hyperreal, the physical and the metaphysical”—collide.
In this show, Dilla pays tribute to the Old Masters who have inspired him throughout his career and whose works led him to a deep dive into meanings and symbols. Luna’s En El Palco, de la Rosa’s Kundiman, and Amorsolo’s Planting Rice, interact with Dilla’s paintings through reimagination and added figurations. From impressions of the idyllic life of varying social strata, they fade into memory in Dilla’s renditions.
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila (M) welcomes visitors with this exhibition, with the title derived from a science fiction television programme from the 1960s, taking them into a space of surrealist beauty that lies in the unknown.
Read also: Enter a Multi-Sensory Filipino Exhibition at the 59th Venice Arts Biennale
Chip Sy Yap, Louie Bate
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When did your passion for the arts begin? Where was it honed?
Art has always been a passion of mine, and I have always wanted to become an artist since I was young. My older brother and cousin have also been good at drawing, and I would always look at their works, although they don’t have a fine arts background. In grade school, I drew in my notebook and on pad paper. I drew photos from books I liked and was interested in realistic paintings or drawings. I wasn’t influenced by manga, comics, or cartoons, which were usually the trend for young people.
When I was in high school, I started exploring painting. In our province, Batanes, we didn’t have access to art materials then. So, I used acrylic house paint with only five colours—red, yellow, blue, black, and white—and learned to mix them on my own. I remember our house back then. I painted all our partitions; it became my practice canvas.
Entering college, I continued my passion and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.
Who were your mentors who have been influential to you? What lessons from them do you carry up to now?
One of my mentors was Janice Young, our dean of fine arts at Feati University and my anatomy teacher. She was very supportive of students and faculty, and even though we had graduated, she continued communicating with us and attending exhibitions. We respect her for being humble, kind, and friendly; we can take that good character from her.
Read also: Who was Fernando Amorsolo?
Above ‘Reminiscences’, 2022, oil on canvas
‘Reminiscences’, 2022, oil on canvas
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Are there any local and international artists you look up to? What do you like about their art?
I like the works of American painter Vincent Desiderio for his unique and weird subjects, as well as his colour palette. The other artist I also admire is Jonas Burgert, a German artist. I like his composition and subject choice. These artists’ works are special because they would just paint what they wanted.
How would you describe your art?
It combines hyperrealism and surrealism, and art critics may have different descriptions of them. My technique is still traditional, but my subject is contemporary.
What interests you the most in painting?
This is hard to explain, but when I look at an artwork, no matter what kind it is, and I feel an unexplainable beauty in it, for me, that is successful artwork. It may be because of the sincerity of the artist creating that artwork, and that energy translates to the viewers.
Above ‘Old Culture’, 2023, oil on canvas
‘Old Culture’, 2023, oil on canvas
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Why did you choose these three works of the Old Masters, in particular, for Time Tunnel? What elements of these amaze you the most?
These three works by great Filipino artists are from the collections of Paulino and Hetty Que. At first, I was only going to do an artwork about En El Palco by Juan Luna. Then they offered to have an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in its new location in Taguig. We decided to add two more artworks that tackle Kundiman by Fabian de la Rosa and Planting Rice by Fernando Amorsolo. As I researched these three paintings, I became more interested and intrigued.
Each of these artworks from our great Filipino artist has its impact on the viewers. En El Palco conveys the classic life of aristocrats in Europe, Kundiman shows our culture and heritage while Planting Rice brings us memories of provincial life.
What kind of message do you want to convey with your art? Or what themes do you usually explore? Why?
I don’t have a specific theme that I always use in my exhibitions, and I still want to explore other subjects and ideas. In my past works, I have explored different themes, drawing from my personal experiences and observations while touching on elements of culture, history, and political issues.
What kind of experience do you want your people to get out of your art?
I don’t think about my patrons’ or viewers’ reactions to my artworks; for that, some of my creations are not easy to hang in their houses. I want to do a piece that satisfies me, and it will be a bonus if other people like it.
Read also: Meet the 7 artists who won at the 2023 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence
Above ‘Theater Show’, 2022, oil on canvas
‘Theater Show’, 2022, oil on canvas
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As an artist, what are the things you value the most and why other artists today should also take note of this?
Talent is the most important thing to an artist and should be constantly improved. Artists should focus on their artwork and not on the money. If you create good work and make good decisions, money will come. The same principle applies to any profession.
What does art mean to you?
Art is equivalent to mastery. If you hone any skill and master it, that is an art.
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Credits
Images: Metropolitan Museum of Manila
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.
