Added Aug 3, 2006
IN A CLASS display of beauty and sophistication, this new premium art gallery in town selected one of the finer abstraction maestros in the city to be showcased for its inauguration.
Dennis “Sio” Montera, renowned for his large-scale abstract expressionist paintings, is the artist featured for the gallery’s launch. Dubbed The Contemporary, this 60-square meter space is located at the second level of the Design Center of Cebu building, AS Fortuna St., Mandaue City, Cebu.
According to chief curator, JV Castro, The Contemporary is “Cebu’s first premium fine
art gallery carrying art pieces from artists of distinction and repute.”
Castro is joined by Anne Lacson as managing director and Hara Vian See as public relations and communications director.
“[Montera’s] new masterpieces strongly reflect the profound shift in Visayan visual arts from the conservative realist style to the groundbreaking contemporary style,” explained Castro in a statement.
The exhibit entitled “DefiniSIOn” features 19 of the artist’s recent works delving in his trademark interpretation of abstract expressionism.
Also, in what Montera would deny as some leaning toward more scientifically progressive work, he claims that his knack for iron oxide and playing with rust recently, is simply an aesthetic thing.
“I like how the rust look gives an effect that the artwork is something conceived through time, plus it blends with my established style of lines, gestures and colors.”
The artist also mentions a turn for more mature tones in his works.
“I’ve been using a lot of earth tones recently; for me it speaks of maturity. These are also stable colors now, no need for eye candy.
“This exhibit is some sort of culmination of whatever I learned for the past two years; technique, material and composition,” explained Montera who has been selected to four major international art events in the same time frame, not counting other awards and distinctions.
“These (paintings) can compete globally,” humbly mentioned a satisfied Montera. “But I still want to become better. I still want to improve more.”
Such words can only come from a true artist who is continually evolving. Indeed, Montera is one whose sights are set for no less than the world itself. “This here is also an opening salvo of what is greater to come.”
The same words are fitting for The Contemporary art gallery as well. The industrial-inspired space has already highly-notable and esteemed visual artists lined up for exhibits during the entire year. The gallery, steered by Castro, Lacson and See, has placed easily itself as one of the premium venues for contemporary art here in Cebu; one that aims to feature art, from both established and emerging talents, that could easily go toe-to-toe with others on a global scale.
“DefiniSIOn” will run from Feb. 12 to March 2.