Push and Pull by Jose John Santos III

In the great CS Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Professor Kirke’s seemingly run-of-the mill armoire becomes the portal to enchanted, magical Narnia.  Upon entering its doors, four children transport from war-ravaged Britain into a world of pathos, quest, achievement, adventure.

Talento by Christopher Zamora

Just like this fictional wardrobe, so does Art Cabinet Philippines open up a perspective into the Philippine contemporary art scene.  In this second show of their Apartment Art series, they allow Manila collectors to take in works first exhibited in Art Beijing 2008.  Once again, this recently-vacated penthouse apartment becomes a backdrop for twelve different points of view. From Anton del Castillo’s Toy Soldier series of painted figures in red oxide on wood, Christopher Zamora’s photorealstic renderings of Filipino street life, Lea Lim’s haunted musings of a windy afternoon in the park, Eugene Jarque’s abstract expressions, Mac Valdezco’s award-winning biomorphic forms in string and cotton tape, Don Salubayba’s play on shadows, Jonathan Ching’s reflections on the circle of life, Ambie Abano’s face prints, Erwin Catral Leano’s women, and Leeroy New’s contemporary take on santos, saint figures, a whole gamut of artistic expressions is presented.   Easily, the works of husband and wife artists, Jose John Santos III and Pamela Yan Santos, stand out.  Hers for her trademark layering of serigraphs and painted images, his for his fine, Magritte-like, hyper realistic figures.

Blessed Are The Peacemakers by Jon Ching and Spork by Mac Valdezco

Portrait of An Artist as Shadow by Don Salubayba

What a commmode of talent this show assembles. Truly a peek into Narnia.

Intimate Spectacles shows from 29 Jan to 7 Feb 2009 at 2805B Three Salcedo Place, Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati.  Contact (63928)550-481 or visit www.artcabinetphilippines.com

By Leeroy New

Draw What's Next by Pamela Yan Santos