Added Aug 3, 2006
Cebuano abstractionist painter Sio Montera will unveil his latest creations through the solo-exhibit “Free-Form” at the Art Center of SM City Cebu from August 15-28, 2007. The all-new collection of contemporary abstract paintings is part of the artist’s creative output as a recipient of the Ramon Durano professorial chair award from the University of the Philippines.
In this exhibit, Montera addresses the issue of ‘form’ in relation to the artist’s creative techniques and use of material. The artist believes that it is essential to dissociate the process of image-making from any pre-conceived idea, and to let form emerge out from the painting process itself. Thus, the act of painting would become a meditative event that would, in turn, lead to self-discovery.
With this latest exposition, Sio Montera confronts us with large format canvases that demonstrate both simple and complex configurations of paint masses, expressive force of texture, and color modulations characterized by a careful balance between spontaneous gesture and continual control. To lend order in every composition, the artist approaches each canvas from every side forming either atmospheric expanse or calligraphic grids that suggest an infinite extent, as if the pictorial space were merely a section chosen at random. As in all of Sio Montera’s abstractions, the elements are delicately worked up in alternating sequences with great force and rapidity to free form from pictorial illusion and achieve a post-painterly equilibrium in art.
FREE-FORM the exhibit is open to the general public from 10AM to 9PM daily. The Art Center is located at the 2nd level of SM City Cebu (beside VECO). For inquiries and appointments call 2319851 or 09173295626.